Peripheral Arterial Disease Related to Illicit Drug Use

Purpose: This study examined the occurrence of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and risk factors for its development in persons in illicit drug treatment.

Methods A stratified cross-sectional design was used to insure age, gender, and ethnic (Black vs. White) balance with respect to three main drug use categories (arm injectors only; arm+leg injectors; non-injectors). Participants (N=640) were obtained from10 methadone maintenance treatment centers in the United States. Assessments included demographic, health, and illicit drug use history questionnaires, the Walking Impairment Questionnaire, the Positive Attitude Toward Physical Activities/Exertion Questionnaire, and body mass index. PAD was defined as an ankle brachial index of less than 0.90 in at least one leg.

Results: PAD was identified in16.7% of participants; the mean (SD) ankle brachial index value for persons with PAD was 0.84 (0.05). Multiple logistic regression analysis found sex (women) (OR = 2.10) history of ever smoking cigarettes (OR = 5.16), years of smoking cigarettes (OR = 1.60 per 10 years smoking) and having a positive attitude toward physical activities/exertion (OR = 0.63) made significant contributions to the predictors for PAD controlling other background and risk variables. Conclusions: A high risk of PAD is present in persons in drug treatment and should be assessed. Smoking cessation should be encouraged. Funding: National Institute of Nursing Research/National Institute of Health (NINR/NIH), R01 NR009264.