Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Jan 21, 2026 1 hour, 35 minutes ago
Medical News: A new hospital-based study from Europe has shed fresh light on why some patients with severe peripheral artery disease face longer hospital stays, serious infections, and even limb amputations. The findings are especially important for older adults and people with diabetes, offering doctors simpler tools to identify high-risk patients earlier using routine blood tests and targeted genetic screening.
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Simple blood tests and genetic clues may help doctors predict amputation risk earlier in severe artery disease
Understanding Peripheral Artery Disease
Peripheral artery disease, often called PAD, happens when blood vessels supplying the legs become narrowed or blocked. This reduces blood flow and can lead to pain, wounds that do not heal, infections, gangrene, and in extreme cases, amputations. The condition is common in elderly individuals and is particularly dangerous for people with type 2 diabetes.
Where The Research Was Conducted
The study was carried out by researchers from multiple institutions including George Emil Palade University of Medicine Pharmacy Science and Technology of Targu Mures Romania, Emergency County Hospital of Targu Mures Romania, Gheorgheni City Hospital Romania, the Medical and Pharmaceutical Advanced Research Center Romania, and the University of Pecs Hungary.
How The Study Was Done
Researchers followed 99 patients with severe PAD who required surgery between 2020 and 2021. Some had diabetes while others did not. Blood samples were tested for inflammation-related markers derived from routine blood counts, protein and albumin levels, and signs of infection. In the most critical cases requiring limb amputation, scientists also measured homocysteine levels and tested for mutations in the MTHFR gene, which is linked to blood clotting problems.
Key Findings
The study found that three out of four patients had low albumin levels before surgery, a sign of poor nutrition and ongoing inflammation. Many patients also had abnormal inflammation markers in their blood, such as high neutrophil to lymphocyte ratios, which are easy to calculate from standard blood tests.
Patients with abnormal blood markers stayed significantly longer in the hospital than those whose markers were normal. Those with infections had higher platelet related ratios, indicating stronger inflammatory responses.
Among the most severe cases, more than half had high homocysteine levels, a substance that damages blood vessels. Nearly 20 percent carried a high risk MTHFR gene mutation, and these patients had much higher homocysteine levels than others. This genetic link helps explain why some individuals develop more aggressive disease and poorer outcomes.
Infection And Drug Resistance Concerns
The researchers also found a wide range of bacteria and fungi in infected wounds, including drug resistant strains. Alarmingly, over one third of certain bacteria showed resistance to multiple antibiotics, making treatment more difficult and increasing the risk of complications during hospitalization.
trong>Why These Findings Matter
This Medical News report highlights how simple blood tests and selective genetic screening can help doctors predict which PAD patients are most likely to face complications, prolonged hospital stays, or amputations. Using these markers together rather than individually may allow earlier intervention, better infection control, and improved patient outcomes.
Conclusion
The study shows that routine blood-count-based markers and homocysteine levels can provide valuable warning signs in severe peripheral artery disease. When combined with genetic information, these tools may help clinicians identify high-risk patients sooner, tailor treatments more effectively, and potentially reduce the need for major amputations while improving overall quality of care.
The study findings were published in the peer reviewed journal: Biomedicines.
https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9059/14/1/210
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Read Also:
https://www.thailandmedical.news/articles/diabetes
https://www.thailandmedical.news/articles/sepsis
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