Supervised exercise training for intermittent claudication: lasting benefit at three years.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the long-term outcome of supervised exercise training for intermittent claudication.


METHODS
A prospective study was undertaken of all patients referred to a single centre with intermittent claudication (>46 m). Patients underwent supervised exercise training twice weekly for 10 weeks, with regular follow-up to 3 years. Actual Claudication Distance (ACD), Maximum Walking Distance (MWD) and ankle-brachial pressure indices (ABPI) were measured.


RESULTS
In 202 patients the initial median ACD and MWD were 112 m and 197 m. Following exercise therapy both the median ACD and MWD increased to 266 m and 477 m at three months, increases of 237% and 242% respectively (p<0.001). At three years the median ACD and MWD were 250 m and 372 m, increases of 223% and 188% respectively (p<0.001). There was no significant change in ACD or MWD at 3 months compared to 1, 2 or 3 years. ABPI remained unchanged throughout.


CONCLUSIONS
Supervised exercise training has long term benefit in patients with intermittent claudication. Results seen at 12 weeks are sustained at three years.
Ratliff
D A
DA
Vascular Unit, Department of Surgery, Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust, Billing Road, Northampton NN1 5BD, UK. david.ratliff@ngh.nhs.uk
Puttick
M
M
Libertiny
G
G
Hicks
R C J
RC
Earby
L E
LE
Richards
T
T
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000842:Ankle / Q000098:blood supply; D001794:Blood Pressure; D001916:Brachial Artery / Q000503:physiopathology; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007383:Intermittent Claudication / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D020127:Recovery of Function; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016138:Walking