Peripheral arterial disease in community-based patients with diabetes in singapore: Results from a primary healthcare study

Abstract

Introduction: Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is an important complication of diabetes mellitus (DM), signifi cantly associated with increased morbidity and mortality secondary to amputations, strokes and coronary artery disease. Information on DM patients with PAD is limited in our ethnically diverse population in Singapore. We aimed to determine the prevalence, risk factors and co-morbidities of PAD in patients managed for DM in the primary care setting. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 521 diabetics in 9 of the 18 government-aided clinics in the community. Data including demographics, presence of co-morbidities and vascular risk factors were collected using an interviewer-administered questionnaire, and Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI) was calculated from systolic ankle and brachial pressure measurements. Results: The prevalence of PAD, defi ned as resting ABI of