Differences between women and men with peripheral artery disease. A look at symptoms and primary health care contacts

Abstract

Women with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) are often under-diagnosed, present with more advanced disease and, at older ages and have a worse outcome than men. This study investigates possible differences in symptom presentation between women and men with PAD. In addition, it aims to determine whether there are differences between women and men in the frequency and reasons for contacting a general practitioner (GP) six months before the diagnosis of PAD. We conducted a systematic review and metanalysis and a retrospective study comparing two cohorts to achieve these objectives. The first study compiled the existing information on symptomatology and evidenced that women have a lower prevalence of typical intermittent claudication and are more likely to have rest pain and atypical leg symptoms. This review highlights the importance of reporting data separately for women and men. The second study established no differences in the number of consultations between women and men before PAD. Thus, the under-diagnosis in women cannot be explained by differences at the GP level.