VER-PAVK

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity, mortality, and impaired social and occupational participation. The aim of rehabilitation for patients with intermittent claudication (CI) is to reduce functional impairment and the disease-related restriction of activity and participation. The S3 guideline on cardiological rehabilitation recommends a disease-specific rehabilitation programme (S3 guideline on cardiological rehabilitation (LL-KardReha) in German-speaking Europe, Germany, Austria, Switzerland (D-A-CH), long version - Part 1, 2019 AWMF register number: 133/001, www.awmf.org). So far, only international evidence is available. There are no systematic studies on rehabilitation for PAD in Germany. 

The study aims to examine the follow-up effects of PAD rehabilitants who receive a specific angiological rehabilitation programme. The main question is which short-, medium- and long-term pre-post effects exist in rehabilitants with PAD regarding health-related and socio-medical outcomes? The primary outcome is walking ability, which is a predictor of the (social-)medical outcome. Exploratory questions relate to the influence of patient characteristics, subjective facilitators and barriers of return to work, and treatment satisfaction. 

A multicentre, prospective (controlled) cohort study with four measurement points (start of rehab, end of rehab, 6- and 12-month follow-up) and written and telephone patient surveys are being conducted. N = 189 rehabilitants with PAD (main rehabilitation indication/ICD-10-GM: I70.2, I70.21-.22, Z95.88) in inpatient rehabilitation were included.