Functional claudication distance: a reliable and valid measurement to assess functional limitation in patients with intermittent claudication

Abstract

Background: Disease severity and functional impairment in patients with intermittent claudication is usually quantified by the measurement of pain-free walking distance (intermittent claudication distance, ICD) and maximal walking distance (absolute claudication distance, ACD). However, the distance at which a patient would prefer to stop because of claudication pain seems a definition that is more correspondent with the actual daily life walking distance. We conducted a study in which the distance a patient prefers to stop was defined as the functional claudication distance (FCD), and estimated the reliability and validity of this measurement.

Gender differences following supervised exercise therapy in patients with intermittent claudication

“…21 Both parameters are reliable tools to quantify walking distance in patients with IC. 21 These distances were determined by a standardized graded treadmill test according to the Gardner-Skinner protocol, the most reliable measure for walking ability. 22 The WIQ is a questionnaire that is validated for the Dutch language in patients with PAD.…”

Minimally Important Difference of the Absolute and Functional Claudication Distance in Patients with Intermittent Claudication

“…Nonetheless, it is widely used in clinical trials, as its value in assessing treatment effect has been well established. 13,25 Indeed, assessment of walking distance provides the means to directly measure the primary treatment goal in IC: improvement of ambulatory (dis) function. The MIDs found in the current study strengthen the connection between this widely used outcome measure and patients' perception of treatment effect.…”

“…The FCD is defined as the distance at which the patient preferred to stop walking because of pain. 13 Walking distances were determined by a standardized progressive treadmill test (i.e.…”

Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation Improves Walking Performance in Patients With Intermittent Claudication

“…When they first experienced claudication symptoms (Initial Claudication Distance (ICD)) 25 2. When they reached the point at which they would usually stop walking (Functional Claudication Distance (FCD)) 26,27 3. When they could not walk any further due to claudication symptoms (Absolute Claudication Distance (ACD)) 25 Pain quality and intensity was recorded using a McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ); The mean scores for ICD, FCD and ACD were positively skewed and showed heteroscedascity.…”