Factors associated with health-related quality of life in patients with Peripheral Arterial Disease

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the characteristics of Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) and its influencing factors in Koreans with Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD). Methods: One hundred and four participants were recruited from Severance hospital in Seoul, Korea. A PAD-specific quality of life questionnaire was used to measure HRQoL. The relevant knowledge, social support, and demographic and clinical characteristics were also measured. Descriptive analysis and multiple linear regression analysis were performed. Results: The mean scores of PAD-related knowledge and social support were high, while those of the HRQoL were low. The HRQoL was significantly higher among university graduates than those who had completed only middle school, and among those with coronary artery disease. The HRQoL in patients with PAD was significantly correlated with duration of diagnosis, the Rutherford classification, rest pain, walking pain, medical staff support, and family support. It was significantly affected by walking pain, duration of diagnosis, medical staff support, and rest pain. The regression model accounted for 38.4% of the HRQoL in this study. Conclusion: Pain and medical staff support might influence HRQoL among patients with PAD. Understanding the characteristics of HRQoL may be important in developing tailored management strategies to improve HRQoL among Koreans with PAD.