Prevalence of peripheral artery disease and risk factors in the elderly: A community based cross-sectional study from northern Kerala, India

Abstract

Background and objectiveThere are no data on the prevalence of peripheral artery disease (PAD) and risk factors in Indians. This study was aimed at studying the prevalence of PAD and risk factors in elderly population of northern parts of Kerala, South India.MethodsIn a prospective observational survey we evaluated men and women of age between 60 and 79 years from Kerala. Anthropometric measurements, biochemical investigations and electrocardiogram were done. The diagnosis of PAD was made by ABI < 0.9. Assessment of coronary artery disease CAD was performed using historical, angina questionnaire and electrocardiographic criteria.ResultsOf the total sample of 1330, we could evaluate 1148 respondents (86.3%). Overall mean (SD) ABI was 0.97 (0.19). Age-adjusted prevalence of PAD was 26.7% (95% CI (24.3, 29.4)) with no difference between urban and rural population. Prevalence of symptomatic PAD was low. Diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, sedentary life style and smoking was observed in 25.5%, 62.9%, 61.6%, 35.9% 38.1% and 30.7%, respectively. On multivariate analysis age, smoking and physical inactivity were strong predictors of PAD. There was independent association of PAD with definite CAD.ConclusionsThere was high prevalence of PAD in Kerala, driven by high prevalence of risk factors. The prevalence was equal in rural and urban population. Intermittent claudication was uncommon. Age, female gender, smoking, physical inactivity, diabetes were independent predictors for presence of PAD.

Prevalence of intermittent claudication in rural and urban Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India: a population-based study

“…3 There was a slightly higher prevalence of symptomatic PAD/IC in urban Vellore compare to the rural area, which was also seen in the study from Kerala. 8 Tobacco use was confirmed as one of the most important risk factors for PAD, as has been shown previously, 1,2 providing another compelling reason to address this risk factor through primary prevention. As the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors is rising rapidly in India, the incidence of PAD, may also increase in the near future.…”

“…7 The ABI is a more objective tool and the sensitivity when used in the general population has been estimated to be 80%, with a specificity of 97%, while symptoms of IC when used as the sole diagnostic criterion for PAD in epidemiological surveys has a much lower sensitivity (60-68%) with specificity of 90%-100%. 8 Lack of information on ABI values was a limitation in our study, and another study has now been initiated to document this.…”

“…2 However, the study from Kerala among rural and urban subjects aged 60 to 79 years, which used both ABI and the Rose questionnaire for IC, showed an overall prevalence of PAD (symptomatic and asymptomatic) to be higher than developed countries. 8 The possible explanation for this was the extremely high prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in this region. 8 A recent national report on burden of diseases in India, has also classified both these south Indian states (Tamil Nadu and Kerala) as High Epidemiological Transition states, with a high burden of Non-Communicable Diseases.…”

“…8 The possible explanation for this was the extremely high prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in this region. 8 A recent national report on burden of diseases in India, has also classified both these south Indian states (Tamil Nadu and Kerala) as High Epidemiological Transition states, with a high burden of Non-Communicable Diseases. 3 There was a slightly higher prevalence of symptomatic PAD/IC in urban Vellore compare to the rural area, which was also seen in the study from Kerala.…”

Detection of peripheral arterial disease in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in family medicine clinic

“…Poznati faktori rizika za nastanak PAB su životno doba iznad 50 godina, dijabetes melitus, pušenje, hiperlipidemija, arterijska hipertenzija. Trećina bolesnika ima tipične simptome, najčešće intermitentne klaudikacije [5,6]. Brojni bolesnici nemaju simptoma.…”