A qualitative study on the role of social determinants of health in patients with peripheral artery disease

Background: Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a growing public health problem due to its high and increasing prevalence worldwide. PAD is responsible for several severe complications that affect the quality of life (QoL) of affected patients. Social determinants of health (SDHs) cover five areas: economic stability, education access, and quality, health care access and quality, neighborhood and built environment, and social and community context. This study aims to investigate SDHs-related outcomes to better understand their potential role in the lives of patients with PAD. Methods: A qualitative study has been conducted using semi-structured interviews to understand the role of SDHs in patients with PAD. Braun and Clarke’s method was used to guide the qualitative analysis of the data. Results: Twenty-seven patients were recruited to receive the interview, including twelve males (44.44%) and fifteen females (55.56%), with a mean age of 63.3 years old (a range of 50–87 years old). SDHs related to the five areas investigated significantly impacted PAD patient diagnosis and outcomes. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that physicians and vascular surgeons should consider SDHs impairments to recognize vulnerable patient populations and tailor treatment methods and follow-up protocols to their specific needs.