Prevalence and Correlation Factors of Peripheral Arterial Disease in Hemodialysis Patients Defined by Ankle-brachial Index (abi)

Background: Cardiovascular diseases including peripheral arterial disease (PAD) are highly prevalent among hemodialysis patients. PAD is one of the important manifestations of systemic atherosclerosis and is related to poorer quality of life among patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). In this study, we evaluated the prevalence and correlation factors of PAD in hemodialysis patients using the ankle-brachial index (ABI). Method: We enrolled 68 patients including 21 DM patients with ESRD undergoing hemodialysis. PAD was defined by an ABI of ≤ 0.9. Correlation factors including DM, age, hemodialysis duration (vintage), albumin level, Kt/V, Ca × P production, and iPTH were analyzed. Results: We found that the DM group has higher rate of PAD than the all-patients group (non-DM + DM) (PAD/ total: 32% vs. DM with PAD/DM. 55%, p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in ABI value for the allpatients group with different dialysis durations. However, the difference in ABI value between non-DM patients on dialysis for less than 1 year and those on dialysis for more 10 years was significant (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in ABI value between patients of different ages for both all-patients and non-DM patients groups. The PAD group had significantly lower albumin level than the non-PAD group (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences in Kt/V, Ca × P production and iPTH values between the PAD and non-PAD groups. Conclusion: In this study, PAD was more prevalent among DM patients on hemodialysis. The albumin level was significantly lower in the PAD group. The ABI value was significantly lower in non-DM patients on dialysis for more than 10 years than in those on dialysis for less than 1 year. (Acta Nephrologica 2010; 24: 42-46)