A patient-derived perspective of health-related quality of life with peripheral arterial disease.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effects of peripheral artery disease (PAD) on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) from the patient's perspective to establish a foundation for systematic PAD-specific HRQoL assessment in this population.


METHODS
Grounded theory methodology.


METHODS
Open-ended, tape-recorded interviews were conducted with 38 patients (24 men, 14 women) 44 to 83 years old (mean 65) from two US medical centers to report patient experience of PAD and its perceived effects on HRQoL. Tapes were transcribed and analyzed to identify themes and conceptual domains pertinent to the experience of PAD in this population.


RESULTS
Seven major themes were identified: (a) delay in diagnosis and frustration with management of disease; (b) pain; (c) limitation in physical functioning; (d) limitation in social and role functioning; (e) compromise of self; (f) uncertainty and fear; and (g) adaptation to the effects of the disease and demonstration of resiliency.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings indicate important psychosocial and emotional consequences of PAD that existing HRQoL questionnaires do not indicate. More complete data might lead to greater understanding of the effects of PAD, serving as the foundation for a more sensitive instrument to assess HRQoL as a basis for more effective interventions.
Treat-Jacobson
Diane
D
University of Minnesota, USA. treat001@umn.edu
Halverson
Sheri L
SL
Ratchford
Andria
A
Regensteiner
Judith G
JG
Lindquist
Ruth
R
Hirsch
Alan T
AT
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001157:Arterial Occlusive Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life