Prevalence and symptoms of peripheral artery disease in diabetic patients: In-hospital survey with modified Edinburgh Claudication Questionnaire

Abstract

Context: Between 2000 and 2010 the prevalence of peripheral artery disease (PAD) increased by 23% worldwide due to a growing and aging global population, an increased number of patients with diabetes, and smoking. Furthermore, symptomatic PAD is associated with a 29% rate of silent myocardial infarction. Therefore, primary prevention of PAD, and its morbidity and mortality call for increased researches. This study aims to determine the prevalence of PAD and its symptoms among diabetic patients attending the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Uyo (UUTH).

Materials and Methods: The study utilized a cross-sectional study design utilizing modified Edinburgh Claudication Questionnaire on all consenting diabetic patients who meet the inclusion criteria. Patients with incomplete data were excluded.

Results: There were 99 diabetic patients studied and analyzed with M:F = 1:1.4 and mean age 56.2 ±9.9 years. Using the PAD diagnostic criteria in ECQ, the prevalence of PAD was 51.5%. Fifty-one percent had been diabetic for more than 10 years, 44% for 1-10 years, and 5% for less than one year. Sixty-one percent had ever been treated with insulin injection, 41% were currently on insulin therapy, while 69% were on oral hypoglycaemic drugs and10% were on combined therapy. The mean HbA1c was 7.8%. Forty-four percent, 27% and 29% of the patients were overweight, obese and normo-body weight respectively. Twenty-eight percent of the patients were hypertensive for more than 10 years and 14% for 1-9 years, therefore making hypertension co-morbidity in 42%. Only 2% of the patients were smokers. The symptomatology study was analysis of the responses of the study participants to the Edinburgh Claudication Questionnaire instrument. Leg pain or discomfort that starts on walking and aggravated uphill, and disappears after about 10 minutes of resting or similar characteristic pain in the calf or buttock was noted.
Conclusion: The prevalence of PAD in diabetic patients in UUTH is 51%. Further research will reveal the pattern, severity and risk factors.