title: Calf pain in middle-aged individuals as a predictor of ischemic cerebrovascular disease.
abstract: In middle-aged individuals, calf pain while walking may be an early marker of generalized ischemic vascular disease. We investigated whether the symptom of calf pain while walking was a predictor of ischemic cerebrovascular disease (CVD). In a nested case control study, part of the Malmö Prevention Program Project, we evaluated 105 patients with ischemic CVD for the symptom of calf pain reported at screening more than a decade before their illness. Their baseline characteristics were compared with those of an age- and sex-matched control group drawn from the population cohort. Calf pain while walking was reported by 16.2% of the patient group but by only 7.6% of the control group; p < 0.0001. Multiple logistic regression analysis with adjustment for all other significant risk factors showed a history of calf pain while walking to be an independent predictor of ischemic CVD (odds ratio, 1.9; 95% confidence interval, 1.3-3.7; p < 0.002). Thus, in middle-aged individuals, the symptom of calf pain while walking would seem to be a significant independent predictor of ischemic CVD. Our data serve to target a high-risk group for improved preventive efforts.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Lund University, University Hospital, Malmö, Sweden.
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Elneihoum
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Lindgärde
authors.forename: K F
authors.initials: KF
authors.lastname: Eriksson
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Falke
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D002546:Ischemic Attack, Transient / Q000175:diagnosis*; D007866:Leg; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010146:Pain / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011379:Prognosis; D012307:Risk Factors