The association of comorbid depression with mortality and amputation in veterans with peripheral artery disease

Psychosocial and socioeconomic factors are most predictive of health status in patients with claudication

BACKGROUND

As a key treatment goal for patients with symptomatic peripheral artery disease (PAD), improving health status has also become an important end point for clinical trials and performance-based care. An understanding of patient factors associated with 1-year PAD health status is lacking in patients with PAD.

METHODS

The health status of 1073 consecutive patients with symptomatic PAD in the international multicenter PORTRAIT (Patient-Centered Outcomes Related to Treatment Practices in Peripheral Arterial Disease: Investigating Trajectories) registry was measured at baseline and 1 year with the Peripheral Artery Questionnaire (PAQ). The association of 47 patient characteristics with 1-year PAQ scores was assessed using a random forest algorithm. Variables of clinical significance were retained and included in a hierarchical multivariable linear regression model predicting 1-year PAQ summary scores.

RESULTS

The mean age of patients was 67.7 ± 9.3 years, and 37% were female. Variables with the highest importance ranking in predicting 1-year PAQ summary score were baseline PAQ summary score, Patient Health Questionnaire-8 depression score, Generalized Anxiety Disorder-2 anxiety score, new onset symptom presentation, insurance status, current or prior diagnosis of depression, low social support, initial invasive treatment, duration of symptoms, and race. The addition of 19 clinical variables in an extended model marginally improved the explained variance in 1-year health status (from R2 0.312 to 0.335).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients' 1-year PAD-specific health status, as measured by the PAQ, can be predicted from 10 mostly psychosocial and socioeconomic patient characteristics including depression, anxiety, insurance status, social support, and symptoms. These characteristics should be validated and tested in other PAD cohorts so that this model can inform risk adjustment and prediction of PAD health status in comparative effectiveness research and performance-based care.

2024 ACC/AHA/AACVPR/APMA/ABC/SCAI/SVM/SVN/SVS/SIR/VESS Guideline for the Management of Lower Extremity Peripheral Artery Disease: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Joint Committee on Clinical Practice Guidelines

AIM

The "2024 ACC/AHA/AACVPR/APMA/ABC/SCAI/SVM/SVN/SVS/SIR/VESS Guideline for the Management of Lower Extremity Peripheral Artery Disease" provides recommendations to guide clinicians in the treatment of patients with lower extremity peripheral artery disease across its multiple clinical presentation subsets (ie, asymptomatic, chronic symptomatic, chronic limb-threatening ischemia, and acute limb ischemia).

METHODS

A comprehensive literature search was conducted from October 2020 to June 2022, encompassing studies, reviews, and other evidence conducted on human subjects that was published in English from PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, CINHL Complete, and other selected databases relevant to this guideline. Additional relevant studies, published through May 2023 during the peer review process, were also considered by the writing committee and added to the evidence tables where appropriate.

STRUCTURE

Recommendations from the "2016 AHA/ACC Guideline on the Management of Patients With Lower Extremity Peripheral Artery Disease" have been updated with new evidence to guide clinicians. In addition, new recommendations addressing comprehensive care for patients with peripheral artery disease have been developed.

Impact of comorbid opioid use disorder and major depressive disorder on healthcare utilization outcomes in patients with peripheral artery disease: A National Readmission Database analysis

BACKGROUND

Prior research has demonstrated that individuals with peripheral artery disease (PAD) often have comorbid opioid use disorder (OUD) and major depressive disorder (MDD), with limited data regarding their impact on readmission outcomes, length of stay, and cost. This study aimed to investigate these healthcare utilization outcomes in patients with PAD who have comorbid OUD and MDD.

METHODS

Data were obtained from the National Readmission Database from 2011 through 2018. The study population included all hospitalizations with PAD as the primary or secondary diagnosis, from which hospitalizations with OUD and MDD were extracted using appropriate ICD-9/10 diagnosis codes. Primary outcomes were 30-day and 90-day readmission, total cost, and total length of stay within the calendar year. We created hierarchical multivariable logistic regression models examining OUD with and without MDD, with a random effect for healthcare facility location.

RESULTS

From 2011 to 2018, 13,265,817 weighted admissions with PAD were identified. These admissions were segmented into four categories: No OUD/No MDD (12,056,466), OUD/No MDD (323,762), No OUD/MDD (867,641), and OUD/MDD (17,948). The group with No OUD/No MDD was used as the reference group for all subsequent comparisons. Regarding 30-day and 90-day readmissions, patients with OUD/MDD had odds of 1.14 (95% CI 1.10, 1.18) and 1.09 (95% CI 1.06, 1.13), respectively. Patients with OUD/No MDD bore the highest median cost of $64,354 (IQR $30,797-137,074), and patients with OUD/MDD marked the lengthiest median stay of 6.01 days (IQR 2.01-13.30).

CONCLUSION

This study found a significant association between these comorbidities and outcomes and therefore calls for targeted interventions and pain management strategies.

Pharmacotherapy and revascularization strategies of peripheral artery disease

The global epidemiological transition of atherosclerotic vascular diseases is witnessing a rapid redistribution of its burden, shifting from high-income to low- and middle-income countries. With a wide clinical spectrum, spanning from intermittent claudication to more complex critical limb threatening ischemia, nonhealing ulcers, gangrene as well as acute limb ischemia, peripheral artery disease is often faced with the challenges of under-diagnosis and under-treatment despite its high prevalence. The management of peripheral arterial disease in patients with multiple comorbidities presents a formidable challenge and remains a pressing global health concern. In this review, we aim to provide an in-depth overview of the pathophysiology of peripheral artery disease and explore evidence-based management strategies encompassing pharmacological, lifestyle, interventional, and surgical approaches. By addressing these challenges, the review contributes to a better understanding of the evolving landscape of peripheral artery disease, offering insights into effective and holistic management strategies.

Major Depressive Disorder Impacts Peripheral Artery Disease Risk Through Intermediary Risk Factors

BACKGROUND

Major depressive disorder (MDD) has been identified as a causal risk factor for multiple forms of cardiovascular disease. Although observational evidence has linked MDD to peripheral artery disease (PAD), causal evidence of this relationship is lacking.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Inverse variance weighted 2-sample Mendelian randomization was used to test the association the between genetic liability for MDD and genetic liability for PAD. Genetic liability for MDD was associated with increased genetic liability for PAD (odds ratio [OR], 1.17 [95% CI, 1.06-1.29]; P=2.6×10-3). Genetic liability for MDD was also associated with increased genetically determined lifetime smoking (β=0.11 [95% CI, 0.078-0.14]; P=1.2×10-12), decreased alcohol intake (β=-0.078 [95% CI, -0.15 to 0]; P=0.043), and increased body mass index (β=0.10 [95% CI, 0.02-0.19]; P=1.8×10-2), which in turn were associated with genetic liability for PAD (smoking: OR, 2.81 [95% CI, 2.28-3.47], P=9.8×10-22; alcohol: OR, 0.77 [95% CI, 0.66-0.88]; P=1.8×10-4; body mass index: OR, 1.61 [95% CI, 1.52-1.7]; P=1.3×10-57). Controlling for lifetime smoking index, alcohol intake, and body mass index with multivariable Mendelian randomization completely attenuated the association between genetic liability for MDD with genetic liability for PAD.

CONCLUSIONS

This work provides evidence for a possible causal association between MDD and PAD that is dependent on intermediate risk factors, adding to the growing body of evidence suggesting that effective management and treatment of cardiovascular diseases may require a composite of physical and mental health interventions.

The association of comorbid depression with mortality and amputation risk in patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia

OBJECTIVE

There is increasing evidence that depression is a risk factor for worse outcomes in patients with peripheral artery disease. The association of depression in patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI) is not well described, nor is the impact of medical treatment for depression in this patient population. The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of depression in patients with CLTI, its association on major amputation and all-cause mortality, and whether medical antidepressant treatment is associated with improvement in these outcomes in patients with depression.

METHODS

A retrospective review of all adult patients (≥18 years old) diagnosed with CLTI from January 1, 2007, to December 31, 2018, at a single academic medical center was performed. Collected data included patient demographics, comorbidities, and diagnosis of depression within 6 months of initial CLTI diagnosis. We also collected data on use of antidepressant medications. Outcomes evaluated were need for major lower extremity amputation and all-cause mortality. Multivariable logistic regression models estimated the adjusted effects of comorbid depression and antidepressant medication use on major amputation and all-cause mortality. Kaplan-Meier survival curves illustrated the probabilities of survival and limb salvage over time, stratified by diagnosis of comorbid depression. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards models estimated the adjusted effects of comorbid depression on time to major amputation and all-cause mortality, and the adjusted effect of antidepressant treatment on time to all-cause mortality.

RESULTS

A total of 2987 patients with CLTI were identified. Mean age was 68.6 years (standard deviation, 12.9 years); 56.5% were male, and 43.5% were female. Comorbid depression within 6 months of CLTI diagnosis was present in 7.1% of the cohort (212 patients). In multivariable analysis, comorbid depression was associated with a 68% increase in the odds of major amputation (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.68; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.19-2.37; P < .01), a 164% increase in the odds of all-cause mortality among patients not taking antidepressants (aOR, 2.64; 95% CI, 1.31-5.32; P = .03), and only a 6% increase in the odds of all-cause mortality among patients taking antidepressants (aOR, 1.06; 95% CI, 0.72-1.55; P = .99). The effect of comorbid depression on mortality varied significantly by whether or not the patient was taking an antidepressant medication (P = .02).

CONCLUSIONS

Comorbid depression in the patient population with CLTI is associated with a worse prognosis for major lower extremity amputation overall, and a worse prognosis for all-cause mortality among patients not taking an antidepressant. Furthermore, antidepressant treatment in the presence of comorbid depression in this patient population is associated with an improvement in the odds of all-cause mortality, illustrating the potential importance of medical management of depression.

Amputation Rates and Associated Social Determinants of Health in the Most Populous US Counties

Importance

Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) have been found to be associated with health outcome disparities in patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD). However, the association of specific components of SDOH and amputation has not been well described.

Objective

To evaluate whether individual components of SDOH and race are associated with amputation rates in the most populous counties of the US.

Design, Setting, and Participants

In this population-based cross-sectional study of the 100 most populous US counties, hospital discharge rates for lower extremity amputation in 2017 were assessed using the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project State Inpatient Database. Those data were matched with publicly available demographic, hospital, and SDOH data. Data were analyzed July 3, 2022, to March 5, 2023.

Main outcome and Measures

Amputation rates were assessed across all counties. Counties were divided into quartiles based on amputation rates, and baseline characteristics were described. Unadjusted linear regression and multivariable regression analyses were performed to assess associations between county-level amputation and SDOH and demographic factors.

Results

Amputation discharge data were available for 76 of the 100 most populous counties in the United States. Within these counties, 15.3% were African American, 8.6% were Asian, 24.0% were Hispanic, and 49.6% were non-Hispanic White; 13.4% of patients were 65 years or older. Amputation rates varied widely, from 5.5 per 100 000 in quartile 1 to 14.5 per 100 000 in quartile 4. Residents of quartile 4 (vs 1) counties were more likely to be African American (27.0% vs 7.9%, P < .001), have diabetes (10.6% vs 7.9%, P < .001), smoke (16.5% vs 12.5%, P < .001), be unemployed (5.8% vs 4.6%, P = .01), be in poverty (15.8% vs 10.0%, P < .001), be in a single-parent household (41.9% vs 28.6%, P < .001), experience food insecurity (16.6% vs 12.9%, P = .04), or be physically inactive (23.1% vs 17.1%, P < .001). In unadjusted linear regression, higher amputation rates were associated with the prevalence of several health problems, including mental distress (β, 5.25 [95% CI, 3.66-6.85]; P < .001), diabetes (β, 1.73 [95% CI, 1.33-2.15], P < .001), and physical distress (β, 1.23 [95% CI, 0.86-1.61]; P < .001) and SDOHs, including unemployment (β, 1.16 [95% CI, 0.59-1.73]; P = .03), physical inactivity (β, 0.74 [95% CI, 0.57-0.90]; P < .001), smoking, (β, 0.69 [95% CI, 0.46-0.92]; P = .002), higher homicide rate (β, 0.61 [95% CI, 0.45-0.77]; P < .001), food insecurity (β, 0.51 [95% CI, 0.30-0.72]; P = .04), and poverty (β, 0.46 [95% CI, 0.32-0.60]; P < .001). Multivariable regression analysis found that county-level rates of physical distress (β, 0.84 [95% CI, 0.16-1.53]; P = .03), Black and White racial segregation (β, 0.12 [95% CI, 0.06-0.17]; P < .001), and population percentage of African American race (β, 0.06 [95% CI, 0.00-0.12]; P = .03) were associated with amputation rate.

Conclusions and Relevance

Social determinants of health provide a framework by which the associations of environmental factors with amputation rates can be quantified and potentially used to guide interventions at the local level.

Association Between Mental Health Burden, Clinical Presentation, and Outcomes in Individuals With Symptomatic Peripheral Artery Disease: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association

Along with the rising burden of peripheral artery disease (PAD), mental health concerns are increasingly being recognized as a comorbidity to address in the chronic disease management of symptomatic PAD. Apart from a high prevalence of comorbid mental health conditions, the role of pain and changing health behaviors and the broader impacts of illness and adaptation to living with PAD require specialized behavioral health expertise. This scientific statement builds a case that this expertise should be integrated within the multidisciplinary PAD team. Furthermore, areas such as cognitive dysfunction and palliative care are highlighted as needing psychological interventions. Although much of the evidence of the efficacy of psychological and psychotropic interventions has been extrapolated from other cardiovascular populations, evidence for the role of psychological interventions for behavior change, for example, uptake of exercise regimens, is increasingly being accrued within PAD. Areas for behavioral health needs and interactions with PAD treatment are discussed, including the use of opioids, depression management, anxiety and stress reduction interventions, the use of benzodiazepines and antidepressants, smoking cessation, rehabilitation trajectories after amputation, and the role of cognitive decline for PAD treatment and outcomes. A case summary highlights the stigma around mental health and vascular disease and the fragmentation of care. This scientific statement provides remarks for building a road map for integrated behavioral PAD care and potential solutions to overcome these barriers. Instrumental to reaching these changes are interprofessional advocacy efforts and initiatives that help break down the stigma around mental health and promote evidence-based collaborative, nonhierarchical, and multidisciplinary PAD care.

Heterogeneous trajectories of depression and resilience following limb amputation

OBJECTIVE

To identify longitudinal trajectories of depression in the first 6 months following limb loss and to explore baseline predictors of trajectories, including pain and demographic factors. A secondary aim was to evaluate whether trajectories of depression were associated with elevated symptoms of posttraumatic stress (PTS) at 6 months.

DESIGN

Secondary longitudinal data analysis of an inception cohort study of persons with new-onset limb loss. Participants completed assessments at three intervals (initial, 3 months, and 6 months).

SETTING

Hospitalized care, acute rehabilitation, ambulatory care, and community.

PARTICIPANTS

Participants were recruited from consecutive cases of amputation surgery in a metropolitan hospital system over a period of 4 years (2002-2007). The final sample (n = 203) was predominantly White (79.3%) and male (78.8%) with an average age of 49.4 years (standard deviation [SD] = 14.6).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)

Depression was assessed via the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9); posttraumatic stress symptoms were measured via the PTSD checklist- Civilian Version (PCL-C).

RESULTS

Four trajectories of depression were identified via Latent Growth Mixture Modeling: Resilience (73.2%), Chronic Depression (11.2%), Emerging Depression (8.9%), and Recovery (6.7%). Average pain intensity significantly predicted trajectory membership. Membership in the Chronic Depression class predicted elevated 6-month PTS compared to all other classes; membership in the Resilience class predicted lower PTS than in the Chronic and Emerging Depression classes but did not differentiate from the Recovery trajectory.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings reveal that the course of depression post-amputation is heterogenous, with varying profiles of symptom development, maintenance, and remission. A majority of individuals were classified as Resilient, whereas a substantial minority of individuals developed clinically significant depression between 3 and 6 months (Emerging Depression), suggesting that early screening during acute care may be insufficient. We detected a significant prospective relation between depression trajectories and distal PTS, advancing the potential clinical utility of trajectory modeling as a risk surveillance tool.

Preoperative Depression is Associated with Worse Outcomes after The Lower Extremity Revascularization

OBJECTIVE

This retrospective study sought to describe the association between preoperative diagnosis of depression and major adverse events after infrainguinal bypass surgery or peripheral vascular intervention (PVI).

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed a consecutive series of all patients undergoing PVI and/or infrainguinal bypass surgery at a single tertiary institution between 2010 and 2019. Propensity matching and Cox regression analysis were conducted to examine the impact of comorbid depression on the incidence of major adverse events (MAEs), defined as re-intervention, major amputation, or death, within 2 years of surgery.

RESULTS

Of all patients (n = 512) undergoing intervention at our institution, 166 (32.4%) suffered an MAE and 169 (33.0%) patients had a preoperative diagnosis of depression. After propensity score matching, univariate (HR, 1.7; 95% CI, 1.1-2.7) and multivariable hazard analyses (aHR, 1.50; [1.1-2.2]) demonstrate that there is a statistically significant relationship between the diagnosis of depression and increased MAE.

CONCLUSION

Over one-third of our lower extremity revascularization patients were noted to have a preoperative diagnosis of depression. After intervention, these patients had worse outcomes compared to patients without depression; this finding was more evident in patients who underwent PVI mainly due to high overall mortality rate. Prospective studies are necessary to better understand this association and to ascertain if early intervention can improve post-procedure vascular outcomes.

Depression in Patients with Peripheral Artery Disease: An Underdiagnosis with Increased Mortality

BACKGROUND

Among patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD), depression is diagnosed in 17-25% and negatively impacts wound healing, quality of life, and survival. We hypothesized that depression is underdiagnosed in patients with PAD. Additionally, given the associations between depression and mortality in PAD patients, there is an increased need to investigate the strength of this relationship. The present analysis includes 2 studies to address the following aims: (1) Investigation of the prevalence of concomitant PAD and depression in a cohort from the Southeastern United States, and (2) Examination of the association between depression and all-cause mortality in a cohort of Canadian patients with PAD.

METHODS

STUDY 1: From June-August 2022, the Patient Health Questionnaire Module 9 (PHQ-9) was administered to all patients seeking PAD-related care including medical, wound/podiatric, or vascular interventional/surgical treatment, in the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill Vascular, Wound, and Podiatry clinics. The PHQ-9 assesses symptoms over 2 weeks and is scored 0-27, with higher scores indicating increasingly severe depression. Demographics, primary diagnosis, depression history, and antidepressant prescription were determined through chart review. We compared the proportion of positive depression screenings (PHQ-9 ≥ 5) to known depression. Among those treated for depression, the PHQ-9 score severity was evaluated. T-tests and χ2 tests were used to compare means and proportions. STUDY 2: From July 2015 to October 2016, the Geriatric Depression Scale Short Form was administered to adult patients with PAD undergoing revascularization. The Geriatric Depression Scale Short Form is a self-report measure of depression with a score >5 consistent with depression. The prevalence of depression was determined; primary outcome was all-cause mortality at 6 months.

RESULTS

STUDY 1: In 104 PAD patients (mean age 66.6 ± 11.3 years, 37% female), 37% of respondents scored ≥5 on the PHQ-9 survey, indicating at least mild depression. Only 18% of PAD patients had a history of depression, demonstrating a significant difference between the PHQ-9 findings and documented medical history. While depression was underdiagnosed in both men and women, men were more likely to have unrecognized depression (chi-squared statistic = 35.117, df = 1, P < 0.001). Among those with a history of depression, 74% had a current prescription for antidepressant medication, but 57% still had an elevated PHQ-9 score indicating possible undertreatment. STUDY 2: In 148 patients (mean age 70.3 ± 11.0 years, 39% female) the prevalence of screened depression was 28.4%, but only 3.3% had a documented history of depression suggesting significant underdiagnosis. Patients with depression were significantly more likely to die within 6 months of revascularization (9.5% vs. 0.9%; odds ratio 1.48, 95% confidence interval: 1.08 to 2.29). There was no association between depression and risk of length of stay, reintervention, or readmission.

CONCLUSIONS

Depression is underdiagnosed and undertreated among patients with PAD, which has grave consequences as it is associated with 1.5 times the odds of mortality within 6 months of revascularization. There is a critical need for more robust screenings and comprehensive mental health treatment for patients with concomitant depression and PAD.

Depression screening in patients with vascular disease

OBJECTIVES

Major depression is associated with increased morbidity and mortality in vascular surgery patients. The US Preventive Services Task Force and American Heart Association recommend routine depression screening for adults, especially those with cardiovascular disease. Since routine depression screening has not been implemented in most vascular surgery clinics across the nation, we sought to determine the feasibility of depression screening and understand the prevalence and predictors of depression in patients presenting to a single institution's vascular surgery clinic over a 4 month period.

METHODS

From June to September 2020, vascular surgery clinic patients were administered a 26-item survey that included validated scales for depression (PHQ-9), pain, frailty, alcohol dependence, and nicotine dependence. Although not validated, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale was also administered. Patient charts were reviewed for demographic information and medical history. 9-digit patient zip codes were used to determine Area Deprivation Index, a measure of socioeconomic status. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to understand the factors associated with increased depression prevalence in the study population.

RESULTS

A total of 140 (36.4%) of 385 patients met study inclusion criteria. 35.7% of them screened positive for mild to severe depression (PHQ-9 scores ≥5). On univariate analysis, major depression was significantly associated with lower socioeconomic status (p = 0.007), higher frailty (p < 0.001), lower self-esteem (p < 0.001), higher daily pain (p < 0.001), health problems that interfere with social activities (p < 0.001), fatigue (p < 0.001), unmarried status (p = 0.031), and lack of primary care provider (p = 0.048). Multivariate analyses significantly predicted higher frailty (B= 0.487, p = 0.007) and lower self-esteem (B= -0.413, p < 0.001) in patients with depression. Depression was not associated with gender, age, employment status, smoking status, alcohol use, or type of vascular disease.

COCLUSIONS

More than one-third of vascular surgery clinic patients have comorbid depression. Higher frailty and lower self-esteem are significant risk factors for depression. Prevention and early identification of frailty may improve outcomes. Depression screening in vascular surgery clinics is feasible and could be useful in determining which patients may benefit from more frequent follow-up and monitoring for associated comorbidities. Vascular surgeons may play an important role in screening for depression and referring patients for psychotherapy and/or pharmacotherapy.

Association between depression and macrovascular disease: a mini review

Depression and macrovascular diseases are globally recognized as significant disorders that pose a substantial socioeconomic burden because of their associated disability and mortality. In addition, comorbidities between depression and macrovascular diseases have been widely reported in clinical settings. Patients afflicted with coronary artery disease, cerebrovascular disease or peripheral artery disease exhibit an elevated propensity for depressive symptoms. These symptoms, in turn, augment the risk of macrovascular diseases, thereby reflecting a bidirectional relationship. This review examines the physiological and pathological mechanisms behind comorbidity while also examining the intricate connection between depression and macrovascular diseases. The present mechanisms are significantly impacted by atypical activity in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. Elevated levels of cortisol and other hormones may disrupt normal endothelial cell function, resulting in vascular narrowing. At the same time, proinflammatory cytokines like interleukin-1 and C-reactive protein have been shown to disrupt the normal function of neurons and microglia by affecting blood-brain barrier permeability in the brain, exacerbating depressive symptoms. In addition, platelet hyperactivation or aggregation, endothelial dysfunction, and autonomic nervous system dysfunction are important comorbidity mechanisms. Collectively, these mechanisms provide a plausible physiological basis for the interplay between these two diseases. Interdisciplinary collaboration is crucial for future research aiming to reveal the pathogenesis of comorbidity and develop customised prevention and treatment strategies.

A framework for perioperative care for lower extremity vascular bypasses: A Consensus Statement by the Enhanced Recovery after Surgery (ERAS®) Society and Society for Vascular Surgery

The Society for Vascular Surgery and the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) Society formally collaborated and elected an international, multi-disciplinary panel of experts to review the literature and provide evidence-based suggestions for coordinated perioperative care for patients undergoing infrainguinal bypass surgery for peripheral artery disease. Structured around the ERAS core elements, 26 suggestions were made and organized into preadmission, preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative sections.

The effects of major depression disorder on neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome surgery outcomes

OBJECTIVES

Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) is a group of disorders caused by impingement of the neurovascular structures at the thoracic outlet. Neurogenic TOS (nTOS), which is thought to be caused by a compression of the brachial plexus, accounts for more than 90% of the cases. Although treatment for nTOS is successful through physiotherapy and/or surgical decompression, little is known about the impact of psychosocial factors, namely, major depressive disorder (MDD), on postoperative outcomes such as non-routine discharge (NRD). Here, we assess whether MDD predicts the type of discharge following nTOS surgical intervention.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of the National Inpatient Sample database from the years 2005-2018 was performed. Using the International Classification of Diseases Clinical Modification, Ninth and Tenth revisions, patients who underwent a surgical intervention for nTOS were identified. Our primary outcome was to investigate the effects of MDD on nTOS patient disposition status after surgical management; secondary outcomes included analysis of total hospital charges and length of stay. NRD was defined as anything beyond discharge home without healthcare services. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to assess MDD and other potential independent predictors of NRD and prolonged hospital stay (> 2 days) following surgical intervention.

RESULTS

A total of 6099 patients were identified: 596 (9.77%) patients with MDD and 5503 (90.23%) without MDD. On average, patients with MDD were older (39.6 ± 12.0 years vs. 36.0 ± 13.0 years; p < 0.001), female (80.7% vs. 63.5%; p < 0.001), white (89.6% vs. 85.6%; p = 0.030), and on Medicare (9.6% vs 5.2%; p < 0.001). Univariate and multivariable logistic regression models identified MDD as an independent risk factor associated with a higher risk of NRD (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.50; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.0-2.2). Additionally, chronic kidney disease (aOR, 2.60; 95% CI, 1.2-5.4), postoperative complications (aOR, 1.87; 95% CI, 1.2-2.9), and Medicare (aOR, 2.95; 95% CI, 1.9-4.7) were statistically significant predictors for higher risk of NRD. However, MDD was not associated with prolonged hospital stay (aOR, 1.00; 95% CI, 0.8-1.2) or higher median of total charges (MDD group: $27,867 vs. non-MDD group: $28,123; p = 0.799).

CONCLUSION

Comorbid MDD was strongly associated with higher NRD rates following nTOS surgical intervention. MDD had no significant impact on length of hospital stay or total hospital charges. Additional prospective research is necessary in order to better evaluate the impact of MDD in patients with nTOS.

Comparison of the incidence of depression before and after endovascular treatment in patients with lower limb peripheral artery disease

Depression is a chronic illness that affects mood, physical health, and overall vitality and quality of life. Depression has been associated with an increased risk of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality among patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Therefore, this study aimed to compare the incidence of depression before and after endovascular treatment in patients with lower limb PAD. This is an important clinical issue considering the worldwide increase in PAD with the aging population and the known negative impact of depression on recovery. This was a retrospective sub-analysis of data from the Tokyo Peripheral Vascular Intervention Study using the TOMA-CODE registry. The presence and extent of depressive symptoms were evaluated using the patient health questionnaire (PHQ-9), with a depressive tendency score of ≥ 5. The PHQ-9 score was evaluated before endovascular treatment (EVT) and at 4 (± 1) weeks after EVT. The study population consisted of 87 patients who completed the PHQ-9 before EVT, with 76 completing the post-EVT PHQ-9. Of these 76, 19 had a pre-EVT score ≥ 5. Overall, there was no difference in the pre- and post-EVT scores (P = 0.091). There was no significant change in the 19 patients with a pre-EVT score ≥ 5 (mean 9.2 ± 4.4); however, there was a tendency to improve in the pre- to post-EVT score (mean, 6.9 ± 5.2; P = 0.059). Diabetes was a significant negative factor for pre- to post-EVT score improvement (P = 0.023). Overall, symptoms of depression showed the tendency to improve at 30 days post-EVT. However, diabetes was associated with lower improvement in symptoms.

The association of depression with mortality and major adverse limb event outcomes in patients with peripheral artery disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is highly prevalent and associated with poor outcomes. Depression is a risk factor for adverse outcomes in patients with coronary artery disease. Despite evidence showing that depression is common in patients with PAD, less is known about its association with adverse prognostic outcomes. To address this, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to summarize the association between depression and outcomes in patients with PAD.

METHODS

We performed a systematic search of eight databases to January 2022 including studies that reported a risk estimate for the association of depression or depressive symptoms with all-cause mortality or major adverse limb events (MALE) in patients with PAD and pooled results in a meta-analysis. Risk of bias was assessed using ROBINS-I.

RESULTS

Of the 7048 articles screened, 5 observational studies with 119,123 patients were included. A total of 16.2 % had depression or depressive symptoms. Depression was associated with a statistically significant increased risk of all-cause mortality (HR 1.24, confidence interval 1.07-1.25, p = .005). The association between depression and MALE was not significant but trended toward a positive association.

LIMITATIONS

Due to lack of data, results were limited by a single study with a large sample size, overrepresentation of men, and lack of information of depression severity or treatment status.

CONCLUSION

Depression or depressive symptoms are associated with a 24 % increased risk of all-cause mortality in patients with PAD. Future work should explore the mechanisms and directionality of this association and identify depression as an important comorbidity to address for patients with PAD.

REGISTRATION

PROSPERO CRD 42021223694.

Effects of walking impairment on mental health burden, health risk behavior and quality of life in patients with intermittent claudication: A cross-sectional path analysis

Introduction

Intermittent claudication is the leading symptom of peripheral artery disease (leg pain when walking). The present study investigates the extent to which walking impairment is associated with health-related quality of life, mental health and health risk behavior.

Methods

A theory-based, cross-sectional path model was empirically examined using pre-intervention baseline data from a multicenter, randomized-controlled trial of patients with intermittent claudication (PAD-TeGeCoach). Data were available from 1 696 patients who completed a battery of questionnaires between April 14, 2018 and March 12, 2019, including measures of walking impairment (Walking Impairment Questionnaire), health-related quality of life (SF-12), mental burden (GAD-7, PHQ-9), nicotine- and alcohol-related risk behavior (Fagerström-Test, AUDIT-C). Sociodemographic characteristics and comorbid conditions were included in the postulated model a priori to minimize confounding effects.

Results

Walking impairment was associated with an increase in depressive (β = -.36, p < .001) and anxiety symptoms (β = -.24, p < .001). The prevalence of depressive and anxiety symptoms was 48.3% and 35.5%, respectively, with female patients and those of younger age being at greater risk. Depressive symptoms were predictive of an increased tobacco use (β = .21; p < .001). Walking impairment had adverse effects on physical quality of life, both directly (β = .60, p < .001) and indirectly mediated through depressive symptoms (β = -.16, p < .001); and indirectly on mental quality of life mediated through depressive (β = -.43, p < .001) and anxiety symptoms (β = -.35, p < .001).

Discussion

The findings underscore the need for a comprehensive treatment strategy in patients with intermittent claudication. Measures to improve walking impairment (e.g. exercise training) are key to enhance quality of life and should be the primary treatment. As a key mediator of mental quality of life, depressive and anxiety symptoms should be addressed by rigorously including mental health treatment. Risky health behaviors should be approached by promoting behavior change (e.g. smoking cessation) as a secondary prevention of peripheral artery disease.

Focus group study of factors relevant to treatment decisions and experiences among patients with symptomatic peripheral artery disease

BACKGROUND

Clinical guidelines recommend shared decision-making for treatment of peripheral artery disease (PAD), which requires understanding of patient perspectives and preferences. We conducted a focus group study of patients with symptomatic PAD to identify factors important and relevant to treatment choices, and to characterize aspects of the healthcare process that contribute to positive versus negative experiences apart from the specific treatment(s) received.

METHODS

Participants were recruited from an academic medical center over two years using a purposeful sampling approach based on a clinical diagnosis of symptomatic PAD (either claudication or chronic limb threatening ischemia [CLTI]) confirmed by abnormal ankle or toe brachial index. Focus groups were led by a non-physician moderator, consisted of 5-12 participants, and were conducted separately for patients with CLTI and claudication. Audio recordings converted to verbatim transcripts were used for qualitative analysis.

RESULTS

51 patients (26 with CLTI and 25 with claudication) were enrolled and participated in focus groups. Major themes related to the process of care included: decision-making input, provider communication and trust, the timeline from diagnosis to definitive treatment, and compartmentalized care (including different venues of care). Major themes related to the process of care included: decision-making input, provider communication and trust, the timeline from diagnosis to definitive treatment, and compartmentalized care (including different venues of care).

CONCLUSIONS

The results provide insights into patient preferences, perspectives, and experiences related to PAD treatment. These observations can be used to inform patient-centered approaches to shared decision making, communication, and assessment of PAD treatment outcomes.

Disparities in peripheral artery disease care: a review and call for action

Peripheral artery disease (PAD), the pathophysiologic narrowing of arterial blood vessels of the lower leg due to atherosclerosis, is a highly prevalent disease that affects more than 6 million individuals 40 years and older in the United States, with sharp increases in prevalence with age. Morbidity and mortality rates in patients with PAD range from 30% to 70% during the 5- to 15-year period after diagnosis and PAD is associated with poor health outcomes and reduced functionality and quality of life. Despite advances in medical, endovascular, and open surgical techniques, there is striking variation in care among population subgroups defined by sex, race and ethnicity, and socioeconomic status, with concomitant differences in preoperative medication optimization, amputation risk, and overall health outcomes. We reviewed studies from 1995 to 2021 to provide a comprehensive analysis of the current impact of disparities on the treatment and management of PAD and offer action items that require strategic partnership with primary care providers, researchers, patients, and their communities. With new technologies and collaborative approaches, optimal management across all population subgroups is possible.

Comorbid Depression is Associated with Increased Major Adverse Limb Events in Peripheral Arterial Disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

Depression is a significant risk factor for mortality in coronary artery disease. On the contrary, the research surrounding depression and peripheral arterial disease is limited. This review aims to systematically evaluate the available literature on the impact of comorbid depression on adverse outcomes in peripheral arterial disease.

DATA SOURCES

A systematic review and meta-analysis were performed using the following databases: MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Cochrane Library from inception until July 2021.

REVIEW METHODS

Included studies compared depressed and non-depressed patients with peripheral arterial disease. The outcomes included mortality, major adverse cardiovascular events, and major adverse limb events.

RESULTS

A total of 9 297 articles were searched. Of these, seven studies were identified. Depressed patients were more likely to be women, be diabetic, have a history of smoking, and have chronic limb threatening ischemia, despite being younger than non-depressed patients. There was a 20% increase in major adverse limb events in depressed patients [RR 1.20, 95% CI (1.11 - 1.31), z =3.9, p<.001, GRADE strength: very low] but no increased risk of mortality [RR 1.03, 95% CI (0.72-1.40), z =0.06, p =.95. GRADE strength: very low] or major adverse cardiovascular events [RR 1.16, 95% CI (0.67 - 2.01), z =0.54, p =.59, GRADE strength: very low]. A follow-up meta-regression of various comorbidities and demographic variables did not demonstrate a significant contribution to the observed risk ratio for major adverse limb events.

CONCLUSION

Depression was reported in 13% of peripheral arterial disease patients, associated with more medical comorbidity, and a 20% increased risk of major adverse limb events. Although the strength of this evidence is very low, the current state of the literature is still limited. Future studies should prospectively assess the impact of depression and its relationship with medical comorbidities and high risk health behaviors.

Phase I/IIa Feasibility Trial of Autologous Quality- and Quantity-Cultured Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cell Therapy for Non-Healing Extremity Ulcers

Non-healing wounds are among the main causes of morbidity and mortality. We recently described a novel, serum-free ex vivo expansion system, the quantity and quality culture system (QQc), which uses peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNCs) for effective and noninvasive regeneration of tissue and vasculature in murine and porcine models. In this prospective clinical study, we investigated the safety and efficacy of QQ-cultured peripheral blood mononuclear cell (MNC-QQ) therapy for chronic non-healing ischemic extremity wounds. Peripheral blood was collected from 9 patients with 10 chronic (>1 month) non-healing wounds (8 males, 1 female; 64-74 years) corresponding to ischemic extremity ulcers. PBMNCs were isolated and cultured using QQc. Within a 20-cm area surrounding the ulcer, 2 × 107 cells were injected under local anesthesia. Wound healing was monitored photometrically every 2 weeks. The primary endpoint was safety, whereas the secondary endpoint was efficacy at 12-week post-injection. All patients remained ambulant, and no deaths, other serious adverse events, or major amputations were observed for 12 weeks after cell transplantation. Six of the 10 cases showed complete wound closure with an average wound closure rate of 73.2% ± 40.1% at 12 weeks. MNC-QQ therapy increased vascular perfusion, skin perfusion pressure, and decreased pain intensity in all patients. These results indicate the feasibility and safety of MNC-QQ therapy in patients with chronic non-healing ischemic extremity wounds. As the therapy involves transplanting highly vasculogenic cells obtained from a small blood sample, it may be an effective and highly vasculogenic strategy for limb salvage.

Physical and psychological functioning of patients with chronic limb ischemia during a 1-year period after endovascular revascularization

OBJECTIVE

Symptoms of peripheral artery disease (PAD) and patients' physical and psychological status are related in a vicious circle. The aim of this study was to determine the relationships between improvement in parameters of PAD after endovascular procedures and changes in patients' physical and psychological status.

METHODS

We studied 140 consecutive PAD patients: 50 patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI), 50 patients with intermittent claudication (IC) undergoing an endovascular procedure, and 40 IC patients who were not qualified for leg revascularization. All participating patients were assessed at the beginning of the study and at 3 and 12 months of follow-up; scores taken included: ankle-brachial index, 6-minute walking test distance, Barthel index, activities of daily living (ADL) index, instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) index, Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS).

RESULTS

After 12 months of follow-up, an improvement in PAD-related symptoms following leg revascularization had been maintained in 56% of the patients with CLTI and in 68% of those with IC. Twelve months after endovascular leg revascularization, the scores in respect of ADL, IADL, and MMSE had increased, and scores for HADS had decreased in both CLTI and IC patients. A higher baseline score in the IADL index was associated with a reduction in the 1-year cardiovascular event risk (OR; 95% CI: 0.70; 0.54-0.91; P < .01).

CONCLUSIONS

In PAD patients, endovascular procedures not only improved PAD-related symptoms, but also ameliorated patients' physical state, improved cognitive function, and reduced depression.

Depression in disabling medical conditions - current perspectives

Chronic diseases commonly entail disability and are highly comorbid with mental health problems, particularly depression. Prevalence of depression across different disabling conditions affecting adult patients, as well as risk factors for depression in these patient groups are reviewed in the current work, with a particular focus on the literature published in the past 5 years. The prevalence of depression in disabling conditions is higher than in the general population and is associated with different factors. Examples of disease-specific factors include neurological implications of stoke, diabetic related conditions (e.g. amputation), limitations imposed by vision loss caused by age-related eye diseases, fatigue in rheumatoid arthritis, and pain in cancer. Common factors identified across different conditions include pre-morbid depression, history of mental health problems, poor social support, disease-related disability, multi-morbidity, and less adaptive coping strategies. We also reviewed studies suggesting a potential bidirectional relationship between depression and chronic disease, particularly for stroke, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and potential factors mediating that relationship. Current findings suggested that long-term depression might be associated with an increased risk of subsequent physical health problems, although the nature of that relationship and its underlying mechanisms are still unclear.

Depression Predicts Non-Home Discharge After Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair

BACKGROUND

Mental health's impact on vascular surgical patients has long been overlooked. While outside the expertise of most surgeons, understanding the role that depression plays in the postoperative course could provide additional insight into opportunities to improve surgical outcomes and healthcare value. Additionally, non-home discharge (NHD) to a rehabilitation or skilled nursing facility after surgery is associated with impaired quality of life and higher postdischarge complications, readmissions, and mortality. We hypothesized that depression would be associated with an increased risk for NHD following abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair.

METHODS

Nonruptured AAA repair cases were identified from the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) using ICD-9 codes between 2005 and 2014. Depression, comorbidities, postoperative complications, and discharge destination were evaluated using statistical tests as appropriate to the data. A hierarchical multivariable logistic regression controlling for hospital level variation was used to examine the independent association between depression, and the primary outcome of NHD controlling for median income and confounders meeting P < 0.05 on univariate analysis.

RESULTS

There were 99,934 total cases analyzed, of which 4,755 (4.8%) were diagnosed with depression and 10,618 (11.9%) required NHD. Patients with depression were younger, more likely to be women, white, have diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, hypertension, tobacco use, and more likely to experience a postoperative complication. On adjusted multivariable analysis, patients with depression were more likely to require NHD (odds ratio [OR] 1.87, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.68-2.08, c-statistic = 0.82). On stratified analysis by operative approach, depression had a larger effect estimate in endovascular repair (OR 2.19; 95% CI: 1.90-2.52) versus open repair (OR 1.60; 95% CI: 1.38-1.87).

CONCLUSIONS

In a nationally representative sample, patients with depression were more likely to require NHD after AAA repair. This study highlights the importance that depression plays in postoperative outcomes after AAA repair. Furthermore, addressing mental health preoperatively has the potential to improve outcomes in patients undergoing AAA repair.

A prospective investigation of depression and adverse outcomes in patients undergoing vascular surgical interventions: A retrospective cohort study using a large mental health database in South London

BACKGROUND

Patients with depression are more susceptible to cardiovascular illness including vascular surgeries. However, health outcomes after vascular surgery among patients with depression is unknown. This study aimed to investigate associations of depression with post-operative health outcomes for vascular surgical patients.

METHODS

A retrospective observational study was conducted using data from a large mental healthcare provider and linked national hospitalization data for the same south London geographic catchment. OPCS-4 codes were used to identify vascular procedures. Health outcomes were compared between those with/without depression including length of hospital stay (LOS), inpatient mortality, and 30 day emergency hospital readmissions. Predictors of these health outcomes were also assessed.

RESULTS

Vascular surgery was received by 9,267 patients, including 446 diagnosed with depression. Patients with depression had a higher risk of emergency admission for vascular surgery (odds ratio [OR] 1.28; 1.03, 1.59), longer index LOS (IRR 1.38; 1.33-1.42), and a higher risk of 30-day emergency readmission (OR 1.82; 1.35-2.47). Patients with depression had higher inpatient mortality after adjustment for sociodemographic status (1.51; 1.03, 2.23) but not on full adjustment, and had longer emergency readmission LOS (1.13; 1.04, 1.22) after adjustment for sociodemographic factors and cardiovascular disease. Correlates of vascular surgery hospitalization among patients with depression included admission through emergency route for longer LOS, inpatient mortality, and 30-day hospital readmission.

CONCLUSION

Patients with depression undergoing vascular surgery have substantially poorer health outcomes. Screening for depression prior to surgery might be indicated to target preventative measures.

Elevated Cardiopulmonary Complications after Revascularization in Patients with Severe Mental Health Disorders

INTRODUCTION

Mental health disorders (MHD) are prevalent within surgical patient populations and can be associated with poorer postoperative outcomes, particularly in those with more severe MHD (schizophrenia and bipolar disorder). However, these associations have not been examined in vascular surgery patients. This study investigated patients undergoing lower extremity revascularization, hypothesizing that those with severe MHD would experience worse health and postoperative outcomes.

METHODS

A retrospective chart review of patients from 2010-2015 with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) requiring revascularization was conducted, with subsequent narrowing to those with concurrent MHD diagnoses, including severe MHD (sMHD) defined as bipolar disorder or schizophrenia and non-severe MHD (nsMHD), defined as anxiety or depression. The primary endpoints were 30-day mortality; Major Adverse Limb Events (MALE) including amputation at the above or below knee level; and Major Adverse Cardiac Events (MACE) including myocardial infarction (MI), congestive heart failure (CHF) exacerbation, and arrhythmia. Secondary endpoints were readmission within 30 days, pulmonary complications, and wound infection. Statistical analyses included Fisher Exact Test and Student's T-test.

RESULTS

Eighteen patients with MHD (sMHD, n=10; nsMHD, n=8) were identified and stratified. Twenty-four limbs were revascularized (sMHD, n=13; nsMHD, n=11). Overall incidence of 30-day mortality, MALE, and MACE were 4.2%, 33.3%, and 50.0%, respectively. Readmission rate, pneumonia, and wound infection occurred in 41.7%, 20.8%, and 16.7% of the population. Stratifying by MHD severity, no significant differences were observed for medical comorbidities, MALE, intervention type (open vs. endovascular), or treatment indication (claudication vs. critical limb ischemia). Patients with sMHD had significantly higher rates of MACE compared to patients with nsMHD (30.8% vs. 18.2%, p<.05). Pneumonia was also more prevalent in this group (38.5% vs. 0.0%, p<.05).

CONCLUSION

While patients with concurrent diagnoses of MHD and PAD presented with similar comorbidities, comparable disease severity, and were equally treated by open versus endovascular techniques, those with severe MHD suffered significantly elevated rates of cardiopulmonary complications, specifically MACE and pneumonia. Further investigation is warranted to identify opportunities to optimize post-operative care for these complex patients.

Patients with depression are less likely to go home after critical limb revascularization

BACKGROUND

Although often overlooked during the preoperative evaluation, recent evidence has suggested that depression in patients with peripheral artery disease is associated with increased postoperative complications, including decreased primary and secondary patency after revascularization and an increased risk of major amputation and mortality. Postoperative nonhome discharge (NHD) is an important outcome for patients and has also been associated with other adverse outcomes; however, the effect that depression has on NHD after vascular surgery has remained unexplored. We hypothesized that depression would be associated with an increased risk of NHD after revascularization for chronic limb threatening ischemia (CLTI).

METHODS

Endovascular, open, and hybrid (combined open and endovascular) cases of revascularization for CLTI were identified from the 2012 to 2014 National (Nationwide) Inpatient Sample. CLTI, diagnoses of depression, and medical comorbidities were defined using the corresponding International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification codes. A hierarchical multivariable binary logistic regression controlling for hospital level variation and for confounders meeting P <.01 on bivariate analysis was used to examine the association between depression and NHD. A sensitivity analysis after coarsened exact matching for baseline characteristics that differed between the two groups was performed to reduce any imbalance.

RESULTS

A total of 64,817 cases were identified, of which 5472 (8.4%) included a diagnosis of depression and 16,524 (25.5%) NHD. The patients with depression were younger and more likely to be women and white, have multiple comorbidities and a nonelective admission, and experience a postoperative complication (P <.05). On unadjusted analyses, patients with depression had an 8% absolute increased risk of requiring NHD (32.1% vs 24.9%; P <.001). On multivariable analysis, patients with depression had an increased odds for NHD (odds ratio [OR], 1.50; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.40-1.61; c-statistic, 0.81) compared with those without depression. After stratification by operative approach, depression had a larger effect estimate in endovascular revascularization (OR, 1.57; 95% CI, 1.42-1.74) compared with open (OR, 1.45; 95% CI, 1.30-1.62). A test for interaction between depression and gender identified that men with depression had greater odds of NHD compared with women with depression (OR, 1.68; 95% CI, 1.51-1.88; vs OR, 1.37; 95% CI, 1.25-1.51; interaction P <.01). A sensitivity analysis after coarsened exact matching confirmed these findings.

CONCLUSIONS

To the best of our knowledge, the present study is the first to identify an association between depression and NHD after revascularization for CLTI. These results provide further evidence of the negative effects that comorbid depression has on patients undergoing revascularization for CLTI. Future studies should examine whether treating depression can improve the outcomes in this patient population.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of gender differences in long-term mortality and cardiovascular events in peripheral artery disease

OBJECTIVE

Individual studies of peripheral artery disease (PAD) have indicated that gender discrepancies exist in the symptoms, functional status, and treatment usage. It remains uncertain whether these discrepancies result in different long-term outcomes. We examined the potential gender differences in mortality and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in patients with symptomatic PAD.

METHODS

The PubMed and Embase databases were searched for studies from 2000 to January 2019. After a review of 13,582 citations, 14 articles were analyzed. The reported age-adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) for gender differences in mortality and MACE were included in the meta-analysis. The mortality outcomes were stratified according to the clinical presentation and study context.

RESULTS

Male gender was associated with a greater risk of all-cause mortality (HR, 1.13; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.10-1.16; P < .001) and MACE (HR, 1.10; 95% CI, 1.06-1.14; P < .001). In a stratified analysis, male gender was associated with a higher mortality risk for patients presenting with either critical limb ischemia (HR, 1.08; 95% CI, 1.05-1.10; P < .001) or mixed clinical presentations (HR, 1.16; 95% CI, 1.11-1.21; P < .001) but not for those with intermittent claudication (HR, 1.13; 95% CI, 0.98-1.30; P = .09). Elevated mortality risk was evident after revascularization (HR, 1.11; 95% CI, 1.04-1.19; P = .003), hospitalization (HR, 1.15; 95% CI, 1.08-1.22; P < .001), and amputation (HR, 1.09; 95% CI, 1.08-1.10; P < .001), although not in outpatient clinics (HR, 1.13; 95% CI, 0.97-1.32; P = .13), in men compared with women.

CONCLUSIONS

Greater mortality and MACE rates in men with PAD occurred despite other accepted gender disparities. The mechanisms underlying these gender differences in the outcomes for PAD patients require further investigation.

Relationship Between Depressive Symptoms and Health Status in Peripheral Artery Disease: Role of Sex Differences

Background

The association of depressive symptoms with health status in peripheral artery disease (PAD) is understudied. No reports of differential impact on women have been described.

Methods and Results

The PORTRAIT (Patient‐Centered Outcomes Related to Treatment Practices in Peripheral Artery Disease Investigating Trajectories) registry enrolled 1243 patients from vascular specialty clinics with new or worsening PAD symptoms. Depressive symptoms were assessed at baseline and 3 months using the 8‐Item Patient Health Questionnaire (score ≥10 indicating clinically relevant depressive symptoms). Disease‐specific and generic health status were measured by Peripheral Artery Questionnaire and EQ‐5D Visual Analogue Scale at baseline and 3, 6, and 12 months. An adjusted general linear model for repeated measures was constructed for baseline and 3‐, 6‐, and 12‐month health status outcomes by depressive symptoms at baseline. Differences by sex were tested with interaction effects. The mean age was 67.6±9.4 years with 38% (n=470) women. More women than men (21.1% versus 12.9%; P<0.001) presented with severe depressive symptoms. In the adjusted model, patients with depressive symptoms had worse health status at each time point (all P<0.0001). Results were similar for EQ‐5D Visual Analogue Scale scores. The magnitude in 1‐year change in health status scores did not differ by sex. Depressive symptoms explained 19% of the association between sex differences in 1‐year Peripheral Artery Questionnaire summary scores.

Conclusions

Women with PAD have a high burden of depressive symptoms. Depressive symptoms were associated with a strikingly worse disease‐specific health status recovery path over the year following PAD diagnosis in men and women. Developing and testing interventions to address depressive symptoms in PAD are urgently needed.

Registration

URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT01419080.

Association of peripheral artery disease with life-space mobility restriction and mortality in community-dwelling older adults

OBJECTIVE

Symptomatic peripheral artery disease (PAD) impairs walking, but data on the impact of PAD on community mobility is limited. Life-space mobility measures the distance, frequency, and assistance needed as older adults move through geographic areas extending from their bedroom (life-space mobility score: 0) to beyond their town (life-space mobility score: 120). We evaluated the association of PAD with longitudinal life-space mobility trajectory.

METHODS

Participants were part of the University of Alabama at Birmingham Study of Aging, a longitudinal study of community-dwelling older adults who were observed from 2001 to 2009. We limited our analysis to those who survived at least 6 months (N = 981). PAD was based on self-report with verification by physician report and hospital records. Our primary outcome was life-space mobility score assessed every 6 months. A multilevel change model (mixed model) was used to determine the association between PAD and life-space mobility trajectory during a median 7.9 years of follow-up.

RESULTS

Participants had a mean age of 75.7 (standard deviation, 6.7) years; 50.5% were female, and 50.4% were African American. PAD prevalence was 10.1%, and 57.1% of participants with PAD died. In participants with both PAD and life-space restriction, defined as life-space mobility score <60, we observed the highest mortality (73.1%). In a multivariable adjusted mixed effects model, participants with PAD had a more rapid decline in life-space mobility by -1.1 (95% confidence interval [CI], -1.9 to -0.24) points per year compared with those without PAD. At 5-year follow-up, model-adjusted mean life-space mobility was 48.1 (95% CI, 43.5-52.7) and 52.4 (95% CI, 50.9-53.8) among those with and without PAD, respectively, corresponding to a restriction in independent life-space mobility at the level of one's neighborhood.

CONCLUSIONS

Life-space mobility is a novel patient-centered measure of community mobility, and PAD is associated with significant life-space mobility decline among community-dwelling older adults. Further study is needed to mechanistically confirm these findings and to determine whether better recognition and treatment of PAD alter the trajectory of life-space mobility.

Association of comorbid depression with inpatient outcomes in critical limb ischemia

There is a growing body of evidence that peripheral artery disease (PAD) may be impacted by depression. The objective of this study is to determine whether outcomes, primarily major amputation, differ between patients with depression and those without who presented to hospitals with critical limb ischemia (CLI), the end-stage of PAD. A retrospective cohort of patients hospitalized for CLI during 2012 and 2013 was identified from the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) using ICD-9 codes. The primary outcome was major amputation and secondary outcomes were length of stay and other complications. The sample included 116,008 patients hospitalized for CLI, of whom 10,512 (9.1%) had comorbid depression. Patients with depression were younger (64 ± 14 vs 67 ± 14 years, p < 0.001) and more likely to be female (55% vs 41%, p < 0.001), white (73% vs 66%, p < 0.001), and tobacco users (46% vs 41%, p < 0.001). They were also more likely to have prior amputations (9.8% vs 7.9%, p < 0.001). During the hospitalization, the rate of major amputation was higher in patients with comorbid depression (11.5% vs 9.1%, p < 0.001). In multivariable analysis, excluding patients who died prior to/without receiving an amputation ( n = 2621), comorbid depression was associated with a 39% increased odds of major amputation (adjusted OR 1.39, 95% CI 1.30, 1.49; p < 0.001). Across the entire sample, comorbid depression was also independently associated with a slightly longer length of stay (β = 0.199, 95% CI 0.155, 0.244; p < 0.001). These results provide further evidence that depression is a variable of interest in PAD and surgical quality databases should include mental health variables to enable further study.

Is amputation in the elderly patient with critical limb ischemia acceptable in the long term?

Purpose

Despite high amputation rates, data on patient-reported outcomes is scarce in the elderly population with critical limb ischemia. The aim of this study was to provide mortality rates and long-term changes of the following patient-reported outcomes in elderly critical limb ischemia amputees: quality of life (QoL), health status (HS), and symptoms of depression.

Patients and methods

In this prospective observational cohort study, amputated critical limb ischemia patients ≥70 years were included. The follow-up period was two years. Within the follow-up period patients completed the following questionnaires: the World Health Organization Quality Of Life -abbreviated version of the WHOQOL 100 (WHOQOL-BREF), the 12-Item Short Form Health Survey, and the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale.

Results

A total of 49 elderly patients with critical limb ischemia had undergone major limb amputation within two years after inclusion. In these patients, the one-year mortality rate was 39% and the two-year mortality rate was 55%. The physical QoL was the only domain of the WHOQOL-BREF that improved significantly across time after amputation (p≤0.001). In the long-term, there was no difference in the ability to enjoy life (p=0.380) or the satisfaction in performing daily living activities (p=0.231) compared to the scores of the general elderly population. After amputation, the physical HS domain (p≤0.001) and the mental HS domain (p=0.002) improved. In the first year, amputees experienced less symptoms of depression (p=0.004).

Conclusion

Elderly critical limb ischemia amputees are a fragile population with high mortality rates. Their QoL and HS increased after major limb amputation as compared to the baseline situation and they experienced less symptoms of depression. Moreover, our results show that, in the long-term, major limb amputation in the elderly patients with critical limb ischemia shows an acceptable QoL, which, in some aspects, is comparable to the QoL of their peers. These results can improve the shared-decision making process that does not delay the timing of major limb amputation.

Depression severity is associated with increased inflammation in veterans with peripheral artery disease

The present study examines the association between depressive symptoms and inflammatory markers in peripheral artery disease (PAD) to better understand the mechanistic relationship between depression and PAD. A cross-sectional sample of 117 patients with PAD (97% male, 76% Caucasian) was recruited from the San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Patients were categorized into three subgroups based upon current depressive symptom severity, as defined by Patient Health Questionnaire-8 scores: no symptoms (score of 0-4, n = 62), mild symptoms (score of 5-9, n = 33), and moderate/severe symptoms (score ≥ 10, n = 22). Serum levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) were assayed and log-transformed for multivariable analysis. To decrease the possibility of Type 1 errors, inflammatory markers were standardized and summed to create a total inflammatory score. In a multivariable analysis controlling for demographics, PAD severity, and atherosclerotic risk factors, mild and moderate/severe depressive symptoms were predictive of a higher total inflammatory score when compared to the group with no symptoms (mild symptoms p = 0.04, moderate/severe symptoms p = 0.007). Exploratory multivariable analyses of individual inflammatory markers found IL-6 levels were significantly higher in the moderate/severe symptoms group ( p = 0.006) than in the no symptoms group. Moreover, hs-CRP and ICAM-1 trended upwards with increasing depression severity. TNF-α was not associated with depression severity. We conclude that depressive symptom severity was independently associated with greater inflammation in PAD. Future research should examine the strength and directionality of this association through larger prospective cohort studies, as well as investigate the pathophysiological mechanisms responsible.

Review of biologic and behavioral risk factors linking depression and peripheral artery disease

The incidence of depression has been rising rapidly, and depression has been recognized as one of the world’s leading causes of disability. More recently, depression has been associated with an increased risk of symptomatic atherosclerotic disease as well as worse perioperative outcomes in patients with cardiovascular disease. Additionally, recent studies have demonstrated an association between depression and peripheral artery disease (PAD), which has been estimated to affect more than 200 million people worldwide. These studies have identified that depression is associated with poor functional and surgical outcomes in patients with PAD. Although the directionality and specific mechanisms underlying this association have yet to be clearly defined, several biologic and behavioral risk factors have been identified to play a role in this relationship. These factors include tobacco use, physical inactivity, medical non-adherence, endothelial and coagulation dysfunction, and dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, autonomic system, and immune system. In this article, we review these potential mechanisms and the current evidence linking depression and PAD, as well as future directions for research and interventional strategies. Understanding and elucidating this relationship may assist in preventing the development of PAD and may improve the care that patients with PAD and comorbid depression receive.