Risk factors and incidence for peripheral arterial disease in patients with typical lumbar spinal stenosis

Intermittent claudication (IC) is a typical symptom of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS). In order to prevent misdiagnosis of vascular disease, it is important to know the incidence of and risk factors for PAD in patients with LSS. Therefore, the aim of our study was to evaluate the incidence of and risk factors for PAD in patients with typical and severe LSS who underwent spinal surgical treatment.

The occurrence of PAD was examined retrospectively in 171 consecutive patients with LSS and severe IC who underwent surgical treatment at our hospital from June 2012 to June 2013. Data were collected on background characteristics (sex, age) and known risk factors for PAD, such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, smoking, hyperlipidemia, stroke, and ischemic heart disease.

Of the 171 patients enrolled, 7 had an abnormal ankle-brachial index (ABI). Computed tomography angiography (CTA) was performed in these patients, and a final diagnosis of PAD was established for all 7 patients. The incidence of PAD in all patients with LSS was 4.1%(7 of 171). Stroke and ischemic heart disease were significantly more common in the LSSPAD group compared with the LSS group. Multiple logistic regression analyses with a forced-entry method revealed that age and stroke (p<0.05) were independent risk factors for PAD.

To prevent misdiagnosis of fatal PAD, we recommend ABI be assessed in patients with LSS and history of stroke.