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

• Published in: Indian heart journal Vol. 70; no. 6; pp. 808 - 815
• Main Authors: Krishnan, Mangalath Narayanan, Geevar, Zachariah, Mohanan, Padinhare Purayil, Venugopal, Krishnannair, Devika, Shanmughasundaram
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: India Elsevier B.V 01-11-2018; Elsevier
• Subjects: Aged; Clinical and Preventive Cardiology; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Humans; India - epidemiology; Male; Middle Aged; Peripheral Arterial Disease - epidemiology; Peripheral artery disease; Prevalence; Prospective Studies; Risk Assessment - methods; Risk Factors; Rural Population - statistics & numerical data; Surveys and Questionnaires; Urban Population - statistics & numerical data; India; ABI; Peripheral artery disease; PAD; Prevalence; Risk factors; CAD
• ISSN: 0019-4832
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ihj.2017.11.001

There 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.
In 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.
Of 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.
There 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.