Title
Atherosclerotic risk factor reduction in peripheral arterial diseasea: results of a national physician survey
UMMS Affiliation
Department of Medicine, Division of Preventive and Behavioral Medicine
Date
12-2002
Document Type
Article
Subjects
Adult; Arteriosclerosis; Clinical Competence; Coronary Disease; Female; Health Care Surveys; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Peripheral Vascular Diseases; *Physician's Practice Patterns; Quality of Health Care; Risk Factors; Stroke
Disciplines
Life Sciences | Medicine and Health Sciences | Women's Studies
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Individuals with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) have a 3- to 6-fold increased risk of coronary heart disease and stroke compared to those without PAD. We documented physician-reported practice behavior, knowledge, and attitudes regarding atherosclerotic risk factor reduction in patients with PAD.
DESIGN: National physician survey.
PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS: General internists (N = 406), family practitioners (N = 435), cardiologists (N = 473), and vascular surgeons (N = 264) randomly identified using the American Medical Association's physician database.
MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Physicians were randomized to 1 of 3 questionnaires describing a) a 55- to 65-year-old patient with PAD; b) a 55- to 65-year-old patient with coronary artery disease (CAD), or c) a 55- to 65-year-old patient without clinically evident atherosclerosis (no disease). A mailed questionnaire was used to compare physician behavior, knowledge, and attitude regarding risk factor reduction for each patient. Rates of prescribed antiplatelet therapy were significantly lower for the patient with PAD than for the patient with CAD. Average low-density lipoprotein levels at which physicians "almost always" initiated lipid-lowering drugs were 121.6 +/- 23.5 mg/dL, 136.3 +/- 28.9 mg/dL, and 149.7 +/- 24.4 mg/dL for the CAD, PAD, and no-disease patients, respectively (PCONCLUSIONS: Deficiencies in physician knowledge and attitudes contribute to lower rates of atherosclerotic risk factor reduction for patients with PAD. Reversing these deficiencies may reduce the high rates of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality associated with PAD.
Rights and Permissions
Citation: J Gen Intern Med. 2002 Dec;17(12):895-904.
Related Resources
PubMed ID
12472925
