ASSOCIATION OF ANKLE BRACHIAL INDEX IN MIDDLE AGED AND ELDERLY WITH THEIR CARDIOVASCULAR RISK FACTORS: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Abstract

Objective: To find the association of individual cardiovascular risk factor and thenumber of cardiovascular risk factors with Ankle Brachial Index.

Methodology: This cross sectional study was conducted at CardiologyExecutive and Family Medicine clinics of Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachifor a period of 1 year between 1st May 2009 and 30th April 2010. The risk factorsincluded were age, gender, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia,smoking and obesity. The systolic blood pressure level was noted in both thebrachial arteries and then systolic pressure was measured in both the posteriortibial and dorsalispedis arteries with a standardized method using 8 MHz Dopplerprobe. The value of Ankle Brachial Index was determined as the ratio of the meanof the ankle systolic pressures to the mean of brachial systolic pressures. Thedata was analyzed using SPSS version 21.

Results: About 100 participants were screened for cardiovascular risk factorswith an interview-based questionnaire. The ankle brachial index was belownormal (0.9) in 40% off patients. Of cardiovascular risk factors, hypertension anddyslipidemia were significantly associated with ankle brachial index values(p<0.05) . As the number of cardiovascular risk factors increase, there is aproportionate decrease in ankle brachial index.

Conclusion: Peripheral arterial disease is more likely to occur in patients withdyslipidemia and hypertension. The risk of peripheral arterial disease increaseswith increase in number of cardiovascular risk factors in middle aged and elderly.These patients require a more stringent control of their risk factors to preventcomplications.

Key Words: Ankle Brachial Index, Peripheral arterial disease, cardiovascular riskfactors