Detecting Peripheral Arterial Disease in Primary Care: A Population Based Study

Area of Science:

• Vascular Medicine
• Primary Care Diagnostics
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) can be asymptomatic, underscoring the importance of screening.
• The ankle-brachial index (ABI) is a recommended diagnostic tool in primary care settings.
• Understanding PAD prevalence and risk factors in primary care is crucial for early intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of PAD in a primary care population.
• To identify risk factors associated with PAD and non-compressible arteries (NCA).
• To assess the utility of ABI in detecting PAD in a community setting.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 250 participants aged 45 and above from a Turkish family health center.
• Ankle-brachial index (ABI) measurements were used to define PAD (ABI <0.9) and NCA (ABI >1.3).
• Demographic data, PAD symptoms, and risk factors were collected and analyzed.

Main Results:

• The prevalence of PAD was 17.6% (22.5% in women, 11.1% in men) and NCA was 15.2% (12.7% in women, 25.0% in men).
• Significant predictors for PAD included age ≥65 years and claudication.
• Predictors for NCA were age <65 years, male sex, and triglyceride levels >200 mg/dL.

Conclusions:

• PAD affects 17.6% of the studied primary care population, with older age and claudication as key associated factors.
• NCA prevalence was 15.2%, linked to younger age, male sex, and elevated triglycerides.
• These findings emphasize the need for ABI screening in primary care to identify silent PAD and associated risk factors.