The PADHOC device is a better guide to the actual incapacity suffered by claudicants than the gold standard constant load treadmill test.

Abstract

The Constant Load Treadmill Test (CLTT) is currently the primary method used to measure walking impairment in patients with peripheral vascular disease. The aim of this study was to compare the CLTT and PADHOC device as assessments of walking impairment. 55 patients with intermittent claudication underwent a CLTT and a Double Physiological Walking Test (DPWT) using the PADHOC device. Health-related quality of life was measured using the Short Form 36 and the Claudication Scale. The initial claudication and maximum walking distance from the first part of the DPWT showed the best correlation with domains of pain and physical function. The DPWT is more representative of the functional incapacity experienced by patients with intermittent claudication. We believe that the PADHOC is a suitable alternative to the CLTT in the assessment of this patient group.