[A survey of ankle-brachial index among natural population in Shanghai and Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region].

OBJECTIVE

To investigate epidemiological characteristics and differences in ankle-brachial index (ABI) among the natural population in Shanghai and Inner Mongolia, and to observe the prevalence of lower extremity peripheral arterial disease (PAD).

METHODS

A total of 2604 volunteers from Shanghai and Inner Mongolia were selected by stratified cluster random sample. ABI was measured and related data were collected.

RESULTS

The ABI value in Shanghai was 1.074 ± 0.095, while it was 1.062 ± 0.075 in Inner Mongolia (P < 0.001). The prevalence of lower extremity PAD in Shanghai was 4.2%, while it was 1.9% in Inner Mongolia (P < 0.01). For males, the ABI value in Shanghai was 1.078 ± 0.105, and it was 1.075 ± 0.080 in Inner Mongolia (P > 0.05). For females, the ABI value in Shanghai was 1.073 ± 0.089, while it was 1.052 ± 0.070 in Inner Mongolia (P < 0.001). For males, the prevalence of lower extremity PAD of the in Shanghai was 4.7%, while it was 2.0% in Inner Mongolia (P < 0.05). For females, the prevalence of lower extremity PAD of in Shanghai was 4.0%, while it was 1.8% in Inner Mongolia (P < 0.05). The ABI values in age group of < 50 years in Shanghai and Inner Mongolia were 1.037 ± 0.082 and 1.055 ± 0.068, respectively (P < 0.05). The prevalences of lower extremity PAD in age group of < 50 years in Shanghai and Inner Mongolia were 7.6% and 1.2%, respectively (P < 0.001). There were no significant differences in ABI value and the prevalence of lower extremity PAD between Shanghai and Inner Mongolia in both age group of 50 - 69 years and ≥ 70 years (all P values > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The ABI value in Shanghai is higher than that in Inner Mongolia and the prevalence of lower extremity PAD in both males and females in Shanghai is significantly higher than that in Inner Mongolia. But they are lower than the level of western countries. In different age groups, the difference of the prevalence of lower extremity PAD between Shanghai and Inner Mongolia is only displayed in the age group of < 50 years, which may be related to the limited sample size. The natural population in Shanghai exposed artery atherosclerotic disease risk factors may increase and we need to pay more attention to the lower extremity PAD.