Frequency of Peripheral Arterial Disease Diagnosed by Measurement of the Ankle Brachial Index Among Diabetics with No Symptoms of Intermittent Claudication

Abstract

Objective. The ankle brachial index (ABI) was measured at rest and after the six-minute walk test (6MWT) to determine the frequency of peripheral arterial disease among diabetics with no symptoms of intermittent claudication. Methodology. A total of 70 participants were enrolled in the study taken from at the outpatient department of Manila Doctors Hospital and Our Lady of Remedies Health Center, Malate from September to October 2011. Based from the blood pressure resting and after the 6MWT, ABI was computed such that a result of < 0.90 is diagnostic of PAD. Results. Mean age of participants was 60 years (SD + 12.2). Among the participants 74% were females, 63% were hypertensive, and 14% were smokers. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure was 140+18.32, 82+12.3 respectively. Participants who were hypertensive and who smoke was above 30%. ABI classified as non-compressible and borderline was 1.42 % and above 10% respectively. The frequency of PAD using ABI was 33% at rest and 37% after the 6MWT. No severe PAD was seen both resting and after 6MWT. Conclusion. The frequency of PAD among diabetics with no symptoms of intermittent claudication using ABI seen at the outpatient department of Manila Doctors Hospital and Our Lady of Remedies Health Center was relatively higher after the 6 MWT.