BMJ  2006;332:1213 (20 May), doi:10.1136/bmj.332.7551.1213

Letter

Peripheral arterial disease: still on the periphery?

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

EDITOR—Changes to the UK General Medical Services (GMS) quality and outcomes framework review include several new therapeutic areas.¹ However, although the GMS contract continues to emphasise risk factor management in patients with coronary heart disease, stroke, or transient ischaemic attack, it again omits peripheral arterial disease, even though this has largely the same underlying cause and association with cardiovascular events and mortality. This omission is even more noticeable given that policy makers and experts representing the Joint British Societies recognise the importance of tackling peripheral arterial disease to reduce the morbidity and mortality from vascular disease.¹

An estimated 27 million people in Europe and North America have peripheral arterial disease.² In the United Kingdom, more than 100 000 people are newly diagnosed with peripheral arterial disease each year.³ Patients with symptomatic peripheral arterial disease have reduced mobility and poor quality of life, equating to some cancers. Equally importantly, . . . [Full text of this article]

Vascular Diseases Research Unit, Institute of Cardiovascular Research, University of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, Dundee DD1 9SY, J.J.F.Belch@Dundee.ac.uk

Northern Vascular Unit, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne NE7 7DN

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