ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Peripheral artery disease in the lower limbs (PAD) is a prevalent condition that entails high morbidity in diabetic patients; this study assesses PAD in these patients and its socio-demographic and clinic associated variables. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Descriptive study in a systematic sample of diabetic patients (DM2) aged 50-80 years, in Primary Care settings. The dependent variable was the presence of PAD diagnosed by ankle-brachial index (ABI) ≤ 0.9; independent variables: socio-demographic, clinical and laboratory. STATISTICS: bivariate and multiple logistic regression analyses were performed to determine the variables associated with low ABI. RESULTS: A sample of 251 patients, 52.6% women; mean age: 68.5 ±8.5. A low ABI was detected in 18.3% (95% Confidence Interval (95% CI):13.3-23.3%), with 6 subjets (2.4%) previously diagnosed as suffering PAD. Age (OR=1.07; 95% CI: 1.02-1.12) and retinopathy (OR=2.69; 95% CI: 1.06-6.81) were associated (multiple logistic regression analysis) with ABI. CONCLUSIONS: The percentage of patients diagnosed with PAD is very low, although PAD prevalence is high among DM2 patients attending Primary Care clinics, especially in older patients and those with retinopathy. We emphasize the recommendation of performing the ABI test in this population at risk.
