Predictive Factors of Peripheral Artery Disease in Homecare Patients

Objective: The aim of the present study was to investigate the predictive factors of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) in home care patients. Method: This descriptive study was conducted in Istanbul with 285 homebound patients who applied for the first time to receive services from the Home Health Care Unit of a tertiary hospital between 01.07.2014 and 01.12.2014. AThe patients having known PAD diagnosis were excluded. Sociodemographic characteristics, home dependency duration, chronic diseases, medications used and smoking status were recorded. Then, deformities in the patients' toenails, peripheral hair loss, foot wounds were recorded, and the patients' functional status and skinfold thickness were evaluated peripheral arterial disease was evaluated by ankle-brachial index (ABI). An ABI below 0.9 was considered indicative of PAD. A chi-square test, Mann-Whitney U test and a logistic regression analysis were used in the statistical analysis. Results: The mean age of the participants was 75.84 +/- 1.17 years (34% M; 65% F). Peripheral artery disease was detected in 16.8% (n=48) of the patients. Current or former smoking ((3: 4.09), peripheral hair loss ((3: 3.42), deformity of toenails ((3: 3.02), and increased skinfold thickness ((3: 1.124) were identified as predictors of PAD. Conclusions: The findings of the present study suggest that home health care providers should inquire about the patient's smoking history, assess skinfold thickness, and examine the toes for hair loss and deformities, to predict PAD.