Hispanic adults may be more likely to get amputations for this blood vessel disease

By Thor Christensen, 91ÊÓƵ News

Edwin Tan/E+, Getty Images
(Edwin Tan/E+, Getty Images)

Lea en español

Hispanic people hospitalized for peripheral artery disease may be more likely to undergo amputations than their white peers who are not Hispanic, according to new research that points to the need for greater awareness and prevention of the condition.

Peripheral artery disease, or PAD, is a narrowing of the arteries that carry blood away from the heart. estimate about 8.5 million U.S. adults 40 and older have the disease, which most commonly affects the legs and feet.

Caused mainly by buildup of fatty plaque in arteries, PAD often causes cramping, pain or fatigue in leg muscles when a person is climbing stairs or walking. If it's left untreated, it can lead to gangrene and amputation. It also can be a risk factor for other cardiovascular diseases, like heart attacks and strokes.

The looked at 141,551 Hispanic adults who were hospitalized with PAD from 2011-2017. Researchers compared this group's data to white people hospitalized with PAD who were not Hispanic. (People of Hispanic ethnicity can be of any race.)

They found that while amputations overall decreased over the time period, Hispanic people had higher rates of amputations compared to their non-Hispanic white peers (32% versus 21%). When researchers broke down the data for minor and major amputations, they found people of Hispanic ethnicity with PAD had 25% greater odds of having a minor amputation and an 8% bigger chance of a major amputation than non-Hispanic white people.

Hispanic people also had lower rates of revascularization than non-Hispanic white people (43% versus 60%), a procedure that can restore blood flow to the compromised limb surgically or through non-invasive methods.

Paulina Luna, the study's lead investigator, said research from nearly a decade ago reported similar results. "We were hoping that these disparities may have decreased with the advancement of technology and the push for revascularization, but the disparities are still pronounced. There's still a lot of work to be done."

The study was presented last month at the AHA's virtual Scientific Sessions. The findings are considered preliminary until a full paper is published in a peer-reviewed journal.

Luna said the findings might be explained in part by social barriers facing the Hispanic community, including lower rates of health insurance and healthy literacy. She said previous studies also show Hispanic patients tend to seek medical help later, when the disease has advanced, compared with non-Hispanic white patients.

The findings "highlight the need for systemic changes and public policies that advocate for insurance coverage for all patients, particularly undocumented Hispanic patients, who have a difficult time accessing health care," said Luna, who recently graduated Yale School of Medicine and is a resident physician at New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center.

There are more than 62 million Hispanic people living in the United States, representing nearly 19% of the total population, according to . The community is heavily affected by several cardiovascular risk factors, Luna said. Rates of diabetes, for example, are higher among Hispanic men, at 15.1%, and women, 14.1%, than their Black, white and Asian peers, .

Further educating patients about PAD and uncontrolled diabetes, which can lead to worse cases of PAD, may be one way to reduce these disparities, Luna said. Behavioral modifications such as getting regular exercise, cutting back on sugary foods and drinks, and being more vigilant about seeing medical professionals, may also help to mitigate these trends, she said.

Luna called for more research on the topic, including qualitative studies that may identify specific barriers.

Dr. Joshua Beckman, who was not involved in the research, said the study "advances our understanding of the impact of PAD in this patient group." Still, major questions remain, he said.

"Why are Hispanic patients more likely to undergo amputation? Are there specific treatments that may benefit Hispanic patients to reduce the need for amputation? Would standardization of care change these outcomes?" said Beckman, professor of medicine and director of vascular medicine at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee.

"Further investigation is needed, along with better prevention and care."

If you have questions or comments about this story, please email [email protected].


91ÊÓƵ News Stories

91ÊÓƵ News covers heart disease, stroke and related health issues. Not all views expressed in 91ÊÓƵ News stories reflect the official position of the 91ÊÓƵ. Statements, conclusions, accuracy and reliability of studies published in 91ÊÓƵ scientific journals or presented at 91ÊÓƵ scientific meetings are solely those of the study authors and do not necessarily reflect the 91ÊÓƵ’s official guidance, policies or positions.

Copyright is owned or held by the 91ÊÓƵ, Inc., and all rights are reserved. Permission is granted, at no cost and without need for further request, for individuals, media outlets, and non-commercial education and awareness efforts to link to, quote, excerpt from or reprint these stories in any medium as long as no text is altered and proper attribution is made to 91ÊÓƵ News.

Other uses, including educational products or services sold for profit, must comply with the 91ÊÓƵ’s Copyright Permission Guidelines. See full terms of use. These stories may not be used to promote or endorse a commercial product or service.

HEALTH CARE DISCLAIMER: This site and its services do not constitute the practice of medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always talk to your health care provider for diagnosis and treatment, including your specific medical needs. If you have or suspect that you have a medical problem or condition, please contact a qualified health care professional immediately. If you are in the United States and experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or call for emergency medical help immediately.