Peripheral arterial disease [PAD]; frequency in diabetics

[1] To determine the frequency of PAD in diabetic patients. [2] To compare the frequency of PAD in diabetics taking different treatment modalities. Observational Cross-sectional study. Diabetic Research Centre Nishtar Hospital Multan. Dec. 2010 to Dec.2011. Four hundred and forty three [443] consecutive diabetic patients were included in the study .History, Clinical Examination, Blood Sampling, HBA1C and Doppler's studies for ABI were carried out. Grading of severity of PAD was done on the basis of ABI. A total of 443 diabetic patients were screened for PAD by ABI. Out of 443 diabetic patients 346[78.1%] were males and 97[21.9%] were females. 332[74.9%] patients were in age group 35-45 years, having normal ABI. 111[25.1%] patients were in age group of 45-55 years having abnormal ABI. So on the basis of ABI the frequency of PAD was found 25.1%. Among 111 diabetic patients with abnormal ABI 97[87.4%] have mild to moderate PAD while 14[12.6%] have severe PAD. Patients with severe PAD were in age group 55 and above and they have longer duration of diabetes. Out of 111 diabetic patients with abnormal ABI 87[78.4%] were males and 24[21.6%] were females indicating disease predominance in males. PAD was more common in patients who were on Oral hypoglycemic agents. The study demonstrates a high prevalence of PAD among people with type 2 diabetes mellitus. This needs to be appropriately evaluated by the medical professionals