Relação entre claudicação intermitente e doença arterial periférica em pacientes atendidos em um serviço de saúde universitário do Sul do Brasil

Abstract

Background: Peripheral obstructive arterial disease (PAOD) is defined as a condition that affects non-cranial and non-cardiac arteries due to atherosclerosis, which is its most common cause. Intermittent claudication (IC) is the most common clinical manifestation of patients with PAD and consists of pain, cramps and/or tingling in the lower limbs, usually in the calves. Objective: To identify the relationship between intermittent claudication in patients with vascular disease treated at a university vascular surgery service. Methods: Analysis of a cross-sectional study carried between 2016 and 2017, which evaluated 144 patients with vascular diseases, treated at the Clinical Center of the University of Caxias do Sul. Results: The prevalence of patients was female (53.5%), aged between 60 and 69 years old (34.0%); 41.7% were obese; 61.1%, hypertensive; 22.2% were diabetic; and more than half does not practice physical exercises. 43.1% of patients had peripheral arterial disease. 86.1% of all patients had intermittent claudication, and of those with PAD, 46.7% had IC. Considering degrees of PAOD, 12.1% had mild PAOD; 27.4%, moderate PAD; and 7.2%, severe PAOD. Conclusion: There was a significant correlation between intermittent claudication and PAOD in the variable Pain/discomfort in the legs when walking and in the variable Location of pain Calf. [resumo fornecido pelo autor]