THE IMPACT OF INTERMITTENT CLAUDICATION ON QUALITY-OF-LIFE EVALUATED BY THE SICKNESS-IMPACT-PROFILE TECHNIQUE

Unselected patients suffering from intermittent claudication (n = 148) were invited to take part in a prospective study. Physical examinatio n and several circulatory investigations were performed including a tr eadmill walking test, bicycle ergometry and a quality of life examinat ion (Sickness Impact Profile, SIP, technique). The SIP has been report ed to be sensitive enough to identify specific dysfunction profiles in several clinical conditions, but it has not been used on patients wit h intermittent claudication. The aim of this study was to determine to what extent quality of life was influenced by reduced walking ability in patients with intermittent claudication. If so, the SIP technique should then be a useful tool for determination of the degree of reduce d exercise capacity in patients who may benefit from surgery instead o f conservative treatment. A majority of the SIP categories, Sleep and rest, Emotional behaviour, Body care and movement, Home management, Mo bility, Social interaction, Ambulation and Overall SIP were shown to b e useful in confirming objective dysfunctions in our patients. The cor relation between maximum walking ability and SIP scores indicated an a pproximate cut-off limit at 70 W walking capacity. Thus, significant r eductions in everyday life function were demonstrated in patients with maximum walking ability below 70 W. Patients with intermittent claudi cation also suffered from several other dysfunctions in addition to wa lking disability. These factors may, as well, impact on quality of lif e without walking disability. Our results demonstrated that quality of life assessment by the SIP technique was a sensitive method for evalu ation of overall dysfunction in patients with intermittent claudicatio n. A comparison with a previous reference material from a general popu lation showed that patients performing more than 70 W had only margina l dysfunctions in their everyday life. It may therefore be low cost-ef fective to treat such patients particularly with surgery or angioplast y.