Prevalence of Peripheral Arterial Disease and Associated Vascular Risk Factors in 65-Years-Old People of Northern Barcelona

Asintomático; Factores de riesgo cardiovascular; PrevalenciaAsimptomàtic; Factors de risc cardiovascular; PrevalençaAsymptomatic; Cardiovascular risk factors; PrevalenceObjective: To determine the prevalence and risk factors associated with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) in Northern Barcelona at 65 years of age. Methods: A single-center, cross-sectional study, including males and females 65 years of age, health care cardholders of Barcelona Nord. PAD was defined as an ankle–brachial index (ABI) < 0.9. Attending subjects were evaluated for a history of common cardiovascular risk factors. A REGICOR score was obtained, as well as a physical examination and anthropometric measurements. Results: From November 2017 to December 2018, 1174 subjects were included: 479 (40.8%) female and 695 (59.2%) male. Overall prevalence of PAD was 6.2% (95% CI: 4.8–7.6%), being 7.9% (95% CI: 5.9–9.9%) in males and 3.8% (95% CI: 2.1–5.5%) in females. An independent strong association was seen in male smokers and diabetes, with ORs pf 7.2 (95% CI: 2.8–18.6) and 1.8 (95% CI: 1.0–3.3), respectively, and in female smokers and hypertension, with ORs of 5.2 (95% CI: 1.6–17.3) and 3.3 (95% CI: 1.2–9.0). Male subjects presented with higher REGICOR scores (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Higher-risk groups are seen in male subjects with a history of smoking and diabetes and female smokers and arterial hypertension, becoming important subgroups for our primary healthcare centers and should be considered for ABI screening programs.This work was logistically supported by the PERIS 2016–2020 medical research grant from Generalitat de Catalunya (Spain). Expedient Number SLT002/16/00441