HTC plans to launch peripheral artery disease registry

The Hamad Trauma Centre (HTC) is developing the first registry for peripheral artery disease (PAD) in Qatar, to support ongoing research aimed at understanding the disease and improving its diagnosis and treatment.PAD is a condition in which narrowed arteries reduce blood flow to the body. A research study conducted by Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) on PAD prevalence in the Middle East highlighted increasing cardiovascular risk due to tobacco use, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, obesity and hypercholesterolemia. The study showed that in Qatar, PAD affects approximately 38% of patients with renal failure, 12% with diabetes and 3% with coronary artery disease. The establishment of the registry was announced during a PAD Workshop held by HMC and attended by about 80 physicians from different subspecialties that are collaborating to provide seamless care for patients with PAD and associated diseases. “PAD significantly affects the patient’s quality of life and is associated with high rates of death and disability,” said Dr Hassan al-Thani, head of the HTC and chairperson of the PAD Workshop. “The HTC is working closely with HMC’s Internal Medicine and Cardiology departments and the Primary Health Care Corporation to create the first PAD registry in Qatar. This registry will help us to build on the achievements that the HTC team has made in PAD research aimed at improving patient outcomes.”One of many continuing medical education activities provided by HMC for its staff, the PAD Workshop gives clinicians and researchers the opportunity to learn from experts in epidemiology, clinical research, vascular intervention, vascular medicine and surgery, cardiology and interventional radiology. “The workshop aims to update our physicians’ knowledge in both surgical and non-surgical management of PAD as well as in conducting research. It is part of our efforts to support our clinicians in their daily practice and to prepare them for their roles in developing the PAD registry,” said Dr al-Thani.Dr Ayman El-Menyar, clinical research consultant at HMC’s Trauma Surgery section and co-chairperson of the PAD Workshop, said up to 50% of patients with PAD may show no symptoms of the disease, which makes it difficult to diagnose in its early stages. Others may experience muscle pain or cramping in their legs or arms that is triggered by activity, such as walking or exercise, and that disappears after a few minutes of rest. However, with severe forms of PAD the affected person can have limb pain even while at rest.Symptoms can range in severity from mild discomfort to debilitating pain. Dr El-Menyar recommends that those who have a history of smoking, diabetes, heart and kidney disease and those who are of advanced age seek immediate professional medical advice, if they feel any unexplained limb pain, numbness or coldness. If left untreated, PAD could lead to ischemic ulcers (wounds that occur due to poor blood flow in the legs) or gangrene, a life-threatening condition where there is premature death of tissues in the leg or other body parts due to reduced blood supply.