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How common is peripheral arterial disease, and should primary care physicians be screening for it?
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CLINICAL PRACTICE

Patients at risk for atherosclerotic disease frequently have undiagnosed and asymptomatic PAD. Also, patients with unknown PAD are less intensively treated for hyperlipidemia and hypertension and less likely to be taking antiplatelet therapy than patients already diagnosed with PAD or CVD. This study does not provide evidence, however, that early detection of PAD will lead to behavioral changes on the part of either patients or physicians resulting in improved patient-oriented outcomes. Until further studies have been done that demonstrate improved outcomes as a result of early detection of PAD with the Doppler ABI, screening should not be routine.

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Anne L Mounsey, MD
University of Virginia Health Sciences Center Charlottesville E-mail: [email protected]

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The Journal of Family Practice - 50(12)
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1080
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Author and Disclosure Information

Anne L Mounsey, MD
University of Virginia Health Sciences Center Charlottesville E-mail: [email protected]

Author and Disclosure Information

Anne L Mounsey, MD
University of Virginia Health Sciences Center Charlottesville E-mail: [email protected]

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CLINICAL PRACTICE

Patients at risk for atherosclerotic disease frequently have undiagnosed and asymptomatic PAD. Also, patients with unknown PAD are less intensively treated for hyperlipidemia and hypertension and less likely to be taking antiplatelet therapy than patients already diagnosed with PAD or CVD. This study does not provide evidence, however, that early detection of PAD will lead to behavioral changes on the part of either patients or physicians resulting in improved patient-oriented outcomes. Until further studies have been done that demonstrate improved outcomes as a result of early detection of PAD with the Doppler ABI, screening should not be routine.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CLINICAL PRACTICE

Patients at risk for atherosclerotic disease frequently have undiagnosed and asymptomatic PAD. Also, patients with unknown PAD are less intensively treated for hyperlipidemia and hypertension and less likely to be taking antiplatelet therapy than patients already diagnosed with PAD or CVD. This study does not provide evidence, however, that early detection of PAD will lead to behavioral changes on the part of either patients or physicians resulting in improved patient-oriented outcomes. Until further studies have been done that demonstrate improved outcomes as a result of early detection of PAD with the Doppler ABI, screening should not be routine.

Issue
The Journal of Family Practice - 50(12)
Issue
The Journal of Family Practice - 50(12)
Page Number
1080
Page Number
1080
Publications
Publications
Topics
Article Type
Display Headline
How common is peripheral arterial disease, and should primary care physicians be screening for it?
Display Headline
How common is peripheral arterial disease, and should primary care physicians be screening for it?
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