A Qualitative Study on the Role of Social Determinants of Health in Patients with Peripheral Artery Disease

Davide Costa (), Nicola Ielapi, Pietro Marino, Roberto Minici, Giulio Accarino, Ashour Michael, Teresa Faga, Umberto Marcello Bracale, Michele Andreucci and Raffaele Serra ()
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Davide Costa: Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Magna Graecia University of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
Nicola Ielapi: Interuniversity Center of Phlebolymphology (CIFL), Magna Graecia University, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
Pietro Marino: Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Magna Graecia University of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
Roberto Minici: Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Magna Graecia University of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
Giulio Accarino: Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, 84081 Baronissi, Italy
Ashour Michael: Department of Health Sciences, Magna Graecia University of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
Teresa Faga: Department of Health Sciences, Magna Graecia University of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
Umberto Marcello Bracale: Department of Public Health, University Federico II of Naples, 80131 Naples, Italy
Michele Andreucci: Department of Health Sciences, Magna Graecia University of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
Raffaele Serra: Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Magna Graecia University of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy

Societies, 2025, vol. 15, issue 4, 1-15

Abstract: 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.

Keywords: peripheral arterial disease; qualitative study; social determinants of health; SDH; public health; medical humanities (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: A13 A14 P P0 P1 P2 P3 P4 P5 Z1 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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