Purpose: To evaluate the effects of peripheral artery disease (PAD) on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) from the patient's perspective to establish a foundation for systematic PAD-specific HRQoL assessment in this population.
Design: Grounded theory methodology.
Methods: Open-ended, tape-recorded interviews were conducted with 38 patients (24 men, 14 women) 44 to 83 years old (mean 65) from two US medical centers to report patient experience of PAD and its perceived effects on HRQoL. Tapes were transcribed and analyzed to identify themes and conceptual domains pertinent to the experience of PAD in this population.
Results: Seven major themes were identified: (a) delay in diagnosis and frustration with management of disease; (b) pain; (c) limitation in physical functioning; (d) limitation in social and role functioning; (e) compromise of self; (f) uncertainty and fear; and (g) adaptation to the effects of the disease and demonstration of resiliency.
Conclusions: These findings indicate important psychosocial and emotional consequences of PAD that existing HRQoL questionnaires do not indicate. More complete data might lead to greater understanding of the effects of PAD, serving as the foundation for a more sensitive instrument to assess HRQoL as a basis for more effective interventions.