/p>The possibilities offered by the use of ICT to improve the quality of life of patients with intermittent claudication is the central axis of the doctoral thesis «Telemedicine in the control of Peripheral arterial disease» developed by Meritxell Davinsdoctor of the Vascular Surgery Unit of the Maresme Health Consortium.
The thesis, which has obtained the qualification of Outstanding Cum laude, aims to verify the benefits of educating the patient so that he becomes what is known as «expert patient«, since as he acquires awareness and knowledge of his disease, treatment follow-up and self-knowledge increase, with which there is a increased ability to detect complications and seek help in case of need.
The entire process is carried out using a technological platform that accompanies the patient during their learning period, which is carried out with the support of a professional, both in person and online. The patient completes questionnaires online and the system can alert of any circumstance or can recommend that you visit the doctoran action that can also be done electronically.
150 patients with intermittent claudication (75 control and 75 who have made use of the technological platform) and this month the number of patients affected by intermittent claudication at the Mataró Hospital who enroll in the program will be increased.
This research is particularly relevant since the intermittent claudication is a disease of increasing prevalence due to the aging of the population, derived from an increase in life expectancy. In people over 65 years of age, 20% of the population suffers from Peripheral arterial diseaseand 6% intermittent claudication, which is an advanced stage of the disease.
The It is part of the peripheral vascular diseases and it is a disorder that in 90% of the cases is affect the lower extremities. It is characterized by the appearance of intense muscle pain located in the legs, which appears when walking or doing physical exercise and which improves when stopping the activity. There are different degrees, and it can end up being a disabling diseaseand it is observed more frequently in men than in women with a ratio of 4 to 1, generally in patients older than 60 years.
This disease occurs as a result of progressive blockage of the arteries that nourish the extremities, thus reducing the necessary supply to adequately satisfy the increased demand for blood flow that occurs when performing any type of activity. The most common cause is arteriosclerosis obliteransresponsible for 95% of arterial obstructions.
Chronic diseases such as peripheral arterial disease are currently the leading cause of death among the adult population in developed countries and their incidence grows year after year, becoming a growing health, social and economic problem. In this sense, it should be noted that one of the results of this process of patient self-responsibility is a improvement in the use of resources for the care of these patients.