Leg Symptoms in Peripheral Arterial Disease

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Abstract
Intermittent claudication (IC) has long been considered the most classic manifestation of peripheral arterial disease (PAD).1 However, when noninvasive testing with the ankle-brachial index (ABI) is used to diagnose PAD objectively, many people with PAD have latent disease or are asymptomatic (ie, have no exertional leg symptoms), while others have symptoms other than classic IC.2-4 Noninvasive testing with the ABI is the clinical standard for diagnosing PAD. The low sensitivity of IC for PAD may contribute to underrecognition of PAD in general medicine practices.5,6