Cardiovascular disease represents the leading cause of death worldwide. Socioeconomic deprivation is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. We have previously shown that precariousness was more frequent in symptomatic peripheral artery disease (PAD) patients than in the general population. According to a previous study, coronary artery disease (CAD) patients have a higher level of education than CAD with PAD, but no study directly compared the level of precariousness in PAD and CAD patients.

To measure and compare the level of socioeconomic insecurity in patients suffering from symptomatic PAD with those suffering from isolated CAD, i.e without symptomatic PAD.

We conducted an observational, cohort, prospective, multicenter study. Patients suffering from symptomatic PAD or CAD were recruited through the medical or surgical vascular or cardiology departments, or the vascular rehabilitation center. The EPICES score and the INSEE parameters were used for analysis. The individual is considered precarious when his or her score is greater than or equal to 30. Cardiovascular risk factors and peripheral arterial disease stages were also collected.

In total, 230 patients were included. According to the EPICES score, 47.8% [95%CI, 38.7–56.7] of patients with symptomatic PAD were in a precarious situation compared to 17.4% [95%CI, 10.5–24.3] of patients suffering from isolated CAD (P<0.001). The mean EPICES score was 33.3 (SD 22.5) in the PAD and 16.9 (SD 17.02) in the CAD population, respectively (P<0.001). In the PAD population, the level of education was low, with an under-representation of patients with a baccalaureate or higher education degree: 21.7% [95%CI, 14.2–29.3] vs. 41.7% [95%CI, 32.7–50.7] in the PAD and CAD populations, respectively. There was also an under-representation of executives and intellectual and intermediate professions in the PAD population, 18.3% [95%CI, 11.2–25.3], compared to the CAD population, 31.3% [95%CI, 22.8–39.8].

PAD patients are more precarious than patients suffering from CAD. A better detection of socioeconomic deprivation in patients suffering from peripheral arterial disease could allow comprehensive care and thus hope for an improvement in terms of morbidity and mortality.