Is asymptomatic peripheral arterial disease independently associated with impaired lower extremity functioning : the women 's health and aging study?
Asymptomatic PAD is common and is independently associated with impaired lower extremity functioning. In addition to preventing cardiovascular morbidity and death, further study is warranted to identify effective interventions to improve functioning among the growing number of men and women with asymptomatic PAD.
This study found a 20% prevalence of malignancy in our population, which is higher than other reports in the literature. Eight percent of the patients in this study were ultimately found to have a malignant aetiology behind their compression fracture, while in 18% of the cases the presumed aetiology was not confirmed on pathological examination. Compression fractures can be one of the most common manifestations of osteoporosis, but a variety of other conditions, including neoplastic processes may also be responsible. As a result, we recommend obtaining a vertebral body biopsy prior to every vertebral augmentation procedure.