A 10-year follow-up of patients presenting with ischaemic rest pain of the lower limbs.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the 10-year outcome of patients presenting with rest pain.


METHODS
One hundred and three consecutive patients presenting with ischaemic rest pain in 1987 were followed up after 10 years. Hospital notes, death certificates and telephone interviews with patients were used to determine outcome.


RESULTS
Follow-up data is available for 97 (94%) patients. Thirteen patients are alive (13.7%) after 10 years, 12 presented with rest pain alone and one had ulceration. Three of these had amputation. The commonest cause of death was myocardial infarction (n = 21, 25%). In those who had died, the median age of onset of symptoms was 72 years (49-93) for rest pain, 74 years (56-87) for ulceration and 71.5 years (45-85) for gangrene. Their survival after admission was a mean of 39 months with rest pain, 33 months with ulceration and 42 months with gangrene. The overall 5-year survival was 31% and the 10-year survival 13%.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients presenting with ischaemic rest pain have a poor prognosis. The presence or absence of ulceration or gangrene does not influence the outcome. Most patients die from smoking-related diseases.
Walker
S R
SR
Department of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Queens Medical Centre, Nottingham, U.K.
Yusuf
S W
SW
Hopkinson
B R
BR
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D017668:Age of Onset; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000671:Amputation, Surgical; D002423:Cause of Death; D003644:Death Certificates; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005734:Gangrene / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D007511:Ischemia / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy; D007866:Leg / Q000098:blood supply*; D007871:Leg Ulcer / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000150:complications; D010343:Patient Admission; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects; D015996:Survival Rate