Epidemiology of peripheral artery disease

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a growing global health issue affecting both high-income and low-/middle-income countries and resulting in significant disability and poor quality of life worldwide. While it shares many risk factors with coronary artery disease (CAD), it is its own distinct syndrome often manifesting as functional impairment and, in the worst cases, adverse limb events in including amputation. PAD continues to be underdiagnosed and treated due to a lack of awareness among both patients and physicians. This results in PAD patients being less frequently treated with evidence-based therapies compared to patients with CAD. Better detection through ABI screening and evaluation of leg symptoms would help to improve the use of appropriate medical therapies for the treatment of lower extremity vascular disease risk factors and might ultimately improve the rate of major cardiovascular and limb events in these patients.