Buerger’s disease in the northeast of Iran: Epidemiology and clinical features

Background The aim of this study is to present our long-term clinical experience in describing a clinical picture of Buerger's disease in our region. Materials and methods In a retrospective study, files of 225 patients who were admitted to the hospital with diagnosis of thromboangiitis obliterans in a 10 year period from 2000 to 2010 were reviewed. All data including demographic, signs and symptoms, history of previous illness, history of smoking, medications, laboratory tests, angiography, and details of surgical operation were obtained. Results A total of 222 (98.7%) and 3 (1.3%) of patients were male and female, respectively. Average age of hospitalized patients was 40.7 ± 8.5 (20–62) years. A total of 200 patients (88.9%) were active cigarette smokers while 168 (74.7%) of them were opium addicts. The most prevalent symptoms were chronic ulcers (80%) and claudication (63.6%). Minor and major amputation was required in 113 (50.2%) and 41 (18.4%) patients, respectively. Amputation was carried out on the lower limb (80%), upper limb (4.1%), or on both (15.1%). Also, four patients underwent revascularization through surgical bypass procedures. Conclusions The diagnosis and treatment of Buerger’s Disease is still a challenge in those communities where the disease is endemic. Therefore, identifying the natural course of the disease can play a pivotal role in the diagnosis and treatment of these patients.