The role of comorbidity in the assessment of intermittent claudication in older adults

The prevalence of intermittent claudication (IC) in older adults by questio nnaire is less than 5% while the prevalence of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) by non-invasive testing is 2-4-fold higher. Comorbid conditions may r esult in under-reporting intermittent claudication (IC) as assessed by the Rose Questionnaire. We examined characteristics of those who report leg pai n in relationship to other comorbid conditions and disability in 5888 parti cipants of the Cardiovascular Health Study (CHS). Older adults with exertio nal leg pain, not meeting criteria for IC, had a higher prevalence of PAD o n non-invasive testing with the ankle-arm index than those without pain, as well as a higher prevalence of arthritis. The pattern of responses suggest ed that pain for both conditions was reported together. The Rose Questionna ire for IC is specific for PAD, but a negative questionnaire does not indic ate a lack of symptoms, rather the presence of PAD along with other conditi ons that can cause pain. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved .