Risk Factors for Peripheral Arterial Disease among Korean Diabetic Patients

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is thought one of the most serious complications caused by atherosclerosis, and the principal cause of death and disability in persons age 50 years or older. But, there is very little information on the prevalence of PAD in diabetic patients and relationship between risk factors and PAD in Korea. Thus, the authors conducted this study to find the risk factors for PAD in diabetic patients and help to improve patients' health. METHOD: A total of 149 Korean NIDDM patients were enrolled. All subject's systolic blood pressures in arm and ankle were measured with a Doppler ultrasonic instrument, from which ankle-brachial pressure index (ABPI) was derived. We also examined clinical and biochemical parameters in all patients. RESULT: Systolic pressure, total cholesterol, TG, LDL were higher and albumin were lower in diabetic patients with PAD than in diabetic patients without PAD (p value < 0.01). Logistic regression analysis showed that hypoalbuminemia and hypertriglyceridemia were independent risk factor of PAD. CONCLUSION: In the light of these results, it seems reasonable to suggest that hypoalbuminemia and hypertriglyceridemia in diabetic patients may play a role in the pathogenesis of PAD.