Korean J Vasc Endovasc Surg.  2012 Aug;28(3):119-125.

Relative Risk of Peripheral Arterial Disease for Patients Registered in a Tertiary Referral Centre

• Lee KH
• Son MJ
• Choi ST
• Kim JH
• Byun SS
• Kang JM

Abstract

PURPOSE
Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is an increasing health problem, as we progress towards an aging society. The diseases known as risk factors of PAD are diabetes mellitus (DM), hypertension, and dyslipidemia, and PAD occurs consistently in patients with diabetes. The patients with PAD do not receive proper treatment at the proper moment, because PAD is almost asymptomatic, and most of the diagnosis is delayed. We aimed to determine the prevalence, risk factors and co-morbidities of PAD in patients who are managed for DM and hypertension in our referral center.
METHODS
Patients with diabetes and hypertension were selected from the Gachon University Gil Hospital. Data of the patients, including demographics and presence of risk factors, were collected using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. For PAD of the low limbs, the ankle-brachial index (ABI) was used, and the PAD of low limbs was defined as <0.9 ABI. For carotid artery stenosis (CAS), carotid duplex ultrasound was analyzed, and CAS was defined as > or =50% internal CAS.
RESULTS
Logistic regression analysis showed that old age (>70) and diabetes were independent risk factors of PAD. As the risk factor number increased, the prevalence of PAD became higher.
CONCLUSION
The prevalence of PAD is continuously increasing. Old age and diabetes were independently associated with a high risk of all-cause PAD patients. For timely and proper management of PAD, large-scale research is needed. Based on research, we should make a detailed plan about early screening, and treatment of PAD.

Keyword

Peripheral arterial disease; Risk factors; Mass screening

MeSH Terms

Aging
Ankle Brachial Index
Carotid Stenosis
Demography
Diabetes Mellitus
Dyslipidemias
Extremities
Humans
Hypertension
Logistic Models
Mass Screening
Peripheral Arterial Disease
Prevalence
Surveys and Questionnaires
Referral and Consultation
Risk Factors