A PILOT STUDY OF THE PREVALENCE OF PERIPHERAL ARTERIAL DISEASE IN PRIMARY CARE

Aim. To evaluate the prevalence rate of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) in primary care (PC) by means of a cross-sectional epidemiological pilot study based on measurements of the ankle brachial index (ABI). Patients and methods. Measurement of the ABI in patients who visit PC centres. Eligibility criteria: over 65 years of age or between 50 and 65 with risk factors for atherothrombosis. A total of 300 patients were included, their mean age being 69 years. One patient was excluded because he did not satisfy the eligibility criteria. Of the remaining 299, 48% were males. 66% were over 65 years old. 86% had risk factors for atherothrombosis, namely, arterial hypertension (69%); hypercholesterolemia (50%); type 1 or 2 diabetes (28%); smoking more than 15 cigarettes a day (12%). The study showed that 5% of them had a history of cerebrovascular disease, 13% heart disease and 8% PAD. Results. A total of 23% of the 299 patients had an ABI <= 0.9, that is to say mild or moderate PAD, versus 77% with an ABI > 0.9. No patients were found to have severe PAD (ABI < 0.4). The rate of prevalence of PAD was higher in those aged above 65 (p < 0.05). Of the cases of ABI < 0.9, 31% were referred to vascular surgery. Conclusion. The prevalence rate of PAD is 23% in PC in patients above the age of 50 and is higher in those over 65 years old (p < 0.05). The ABI is a simple test that can be utilised by trained members of staff and is the most powerful marker in screening for PAD.