Dependent rubor as a predictor of limb risk in patients with claudication.
We followed up 133 patients with claudication to determine the prognostic value of dependent rubor. Life tables analysis was used, with a threatened limb as the endpoint. A threatened limb was defined as the development of ischemic rest pain, skin ulceration, or gangrene. At four years, the rubor group had a limb-threat incidence of 25%, compared with only 9% in the nonrubor group. While not indicative of imminent limb loss, the presence of dependent rubor defines patients whose limb risk is greater than in those with claudication alone.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005734:Gangrene / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000150:complications*; D007383:Intermittent Claudication / Q000150:complications*; D007511:Ischemia / Q000175:diagnosis; D007866:Leg / Q000098:blood supply; D007871:Leg Ulcer / Q000175:diagnosis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D012306:Risk