Three million Western Europeans suffer from critical limb ischemia

A recent analysis published by THE SAGE GROUP concluded that 3 million people in Western Europe have critical limb ischemia (CLI). Reflecting the aging population, this number is projected to grow to 4 million by 2030.

“This reflects the fact that Germany has the highest regional prevalence of diabetes, as well as the greatest number of elderly citizens”

"Because of the global epidemic of diabetes and the fact that diabetics represent 60% to 80% of CLI patients, we believe that critical limb ischemia represents a major and significantly underestimated worldwide problem," declared Mary L. Yost, President of THE SAGE GROUP.

According to the report, the largest numbers of citizens suffering from CLI are located in Germany, Italy, Spain, the UK and France. These 5 countries account for 78% of CLI in Western Europe.

"With over 768,000 citizens suffering from critical limb ischemia, Germany represents the single largest Western European market," stated Ms. Yost. "This reflects the fact that Germany has the highest regional prevalence of diabetes, as well as the greatest number of elderly citizens," Yost explained.

"Germany is followed closely in market size by Italy with over 700,000 people estimated to suffer from severe ischemia," continued Ms. Yost.

Spain and the United Kingdom represent the next largest critical limb ischemia markets with 417,000 and 306,000 patients respectively. Over 180,000 French and more than 160,000 Dutch are estimated to have critical limb ischemia.

Comparing the size of the market in Western Europe with that in the U.S., Ms. Yost commented, "Even though Western Europe has a significantly higher number of elderly people, and there are more Europeans with PAD (23 million versus 18 million in the U.S.) there are only 200,000 more Europeans with CLI. This apparent anomaly reflects the fact that a higher percentage of Americans, especially those 65 and older, have diabetes."

Source THE SAGE GROUP