Social isolation in patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia: a cross-sectional study

Assistance by family members or friends plays important roles in the course of treating patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI), both during hospitalization and after discharge. The aim of this study was to reveal the prevalence of social isolation and to explore relevant clinical backgrounds in patients with CLTI presenting with tissue loss and requiring revascularization. We analyzed 413 patients registered in a multicenter study in whom revascularization were scheduled for CLTI with tissue loss. Social isolation was analyzed by assessing the residence status of the patients and the involvement of a trusted family member or friend in their daily lives and during hospitalization. Patients living alone accounted for 24.5% (95% confidence interval [CI] 20.1–28.8%) of the study population. Patients receiving welfare were more likely to live alone (P < 0.001). For patients living alone, 21.8% (95% CI 12.8–30.8%) met a trusted family member or friend in their daily lives less than once per year. Younger age and receiving welfare were independently associated with lower frequency of meeting the trusted person in their daily lives (both P < 0.05). The adjusted odds ratio of age and receiving welfare was 0.44 (95% CI 0.29–0.67) per 10-year increase and 3.47 (95% CI 1.43–8.44), respectively. During hospitalization, 9.9% (95% CI 6.8–13.0%) of the patients had no hospital visits by a trusted family member or friend on three key occasions: the patient’s first hospital visit, the preoperative explanation regarding the planned operation, and the day of the operation. Younger age and receiving welfare were independently associated with lower frequency of hospital visits by a family member or friend (both P < 0.05). The adjusted odds ratio of age and receiving welfare for no visit versus ≥ 1 visit was 0.51 (0.36–0.74) per 10-year increase and 5.29 (2.46–11.4), respectively. In conclusion, social isolation is common among patients with CLTI, especially younger patients and those on welfare. Practical countermeasures against social isolation are warranted in the management of CLTI.