Functional ability in patients with critical limb ischaemia is unaffected by successful revascularisation

Patient- and society-oriented measures of outcome have a critical role in determining the effectiveness of any treatment in patients with critical limb ischaemia (CLI). In particular, the impact of an intervention on patient's dependency and functional performance is relevant but is largely unknown. The aim of the study was to investigate whether the limitations encountered in the activities of daily living (ADLs) measured with the Katz Index (KI) in patients with CLI were changed by the treatment.

During the period 2006-2008, 248 consecutive patients undergoing repair for CLI were investigated with an ADL questionnaire for assessing KI before and after a mean of 16.19 months from treatment. Changes in KI were stratified by type of treatment and outcome.

There were 165 males and 83 females, mean age 73.3 ± 8.3 years; 125 patients showed tissue loss and 123 rest pain alone, 98 received surgical bypass and 150 endovascular repair. Pre-operative KI mean was 10.42. At the post-operative assessment, there was significant worsening in patients' functional outcome (mean KI decreased to 9.78) despite relief of pain (81.5%), tissue healing (72%), good vessel patency (83.8%) and low amputation rate (9.7%). Deterioration of KI was not significantly higher in patients undergoing endovascular repair. Patients receiving major amputation started with worse pre-operative functional score (KI mean 9.42) and did further deteriorate (KI mean 7.71) after demolition surgery. However, patients who received successful revascularisation showed deterioration in the dependence index.

Successful vascular treatment is not associated with improved functional ability in patients with CLI, especially when already highly dependent in their activities. Large nationwide preventive and educational programmes should be implemented to prevent irreversible and severe health deterioration in populations with CLI.