[Lower limb occlusive arteriopathy: retrospective analysis of 73 patients with onset before the age of 50 years]

Abstract

Objectives: Juvenile peripheral obstructive arterial diseases (POAD) have been poorly investigated but account for 1 to 7% of POAD. We analyzed retrospectively a cohort of patients with onset before the age of 50 years.

Patients and methods: Seventy-three patients (60 males and 13 females) were divided into 4 groups (Buerger's disease: TAO, atheromatous PAOD, auto-immune POAD, arteriopathy of undetermined origin).

Results: The first symptoms occurred at 38 +/- 8 years of age. Fourteen patients (20%) had TAO, 51 (70%) atheromatous POAD, 4 (5%) POAD with systemic or autoimmune disease, and 4 (5%) undetermined POAD. Age of onset was earlier in TAO (35 +/- 8 vs 40 +/- 8 years, p=0.046), smoking greater in the atheroma group (33 +/- 16 vs 24 +/- 14 pack-years, p=0.033). Fifty-three POAD patients had dyslipidaemia and 26% hypertension. Regular cannabis intake was more frequent in the TAO group (21 vs 8%). At the time of medical care, Fontaine's stage was more frequently stage II in atheroma patients (57 vs 14%) and stage IV in TAO patients (86 vs 35%). TAO was diagnosed in 43% cannabis users and in 19% non users.

Conclusion: The main etiology of juvenile POAD is atheroma, followed by TAO. Cannabis users account for at least 10% of these patients. They are characterized by lower tobacco intake, more distal lesions, more frequent involvement of the upper limbs. They present more frequently as TAO.