Association of a healthy ageing index with health-related outcomes in a multi-ethnic cohort from Singapore

BACKGROUND

The global population is ageing rapidly and it is important to promote healthy ageing. The Healthy Ageing Index (HAI) is a comprehensive measure of health, but there is limited research on its association with other age-related outcomes. The management of an aging population necessitates considerations even among generally healthy adults, as age-related diseases often remain unaccounted for until later stages of life. This study explores the association of risk factors with HAI and its association with peripheral artery disease (PAD), muscle strength, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and psychological distress in the Singapore Multi-Ethnic Cohort study.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study involved 1909 participants (median (Q1, Q3) age: 53 (48, 60) years and 59.3% females) from Singapore Multi-Ethnic Cohort study. The risk factors of HAI included age, gender, ethnicity, education level, smoking, alcohol consumption, employment, BMI and past medical histories. PAD was assessed using ankle-brachial index (ABI), handgrip strength (HGS), HRQoL with the EQ-5D-5 L questionnaire and psychological distress via the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10). HAI components were assessed using relevant marker tests.

RESULTS

Older age, Malay and Indian ethnicities, unemployment, high BMI and histories of CHD, hypercholesterolaemia, tumours and TIA/stroke were associated with lower HAI scores indicative of poorer health. Higher HAI scores were associated with females and higher education levels. Lower HAI scores were significantly associated with low ABI, high K10 scores, mobility and anxiety/depression dimensions of EQ-5D-5 L.

CONCLUSION

The most important factors associated with HAI were age, sex, ethnicity, education, unemployment, BMI and a history of health conditions. Lower HAI scores were significantly associated with PAD, lower HRQoL and psychological distress. Thus, the HAI demonstrates promise as an evaluation method for assessing PAD, overall muscle strength and HRQoL in a population-based setting.

Strategies to prevent cardiovascular disease in Singapore: A call to action from Singapore Heart Foundation, Singapore Cardiac Society and Chapter of Cardiologists of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore

Introduction

In 2022, the Minister for Health of Singapore launched Healthier SG, a national strategy in championing the shift towards a population health approach.

Method

The Singapore Heart Foundation conducted a series of roundtable discussions, also attended by representatives of the Singapore Cardiac Society and the Chapter of Cardiologists of the Academy of Medicine Singapore. During the meetings, the authors formulated interventions supportive of Healthier SG that specifically aimed to uplift the state of cardiovascular (CV) preventive care in Singapore.

Results

In line with Healthier SG, the authors propose a 3-pronged approach ("Healthier Heart SG") to augment the success of Healthier SG in achieving good CV outcomes. This proposal includes the following components: (1) a call to update the standards of care in addressing the 5 main modifiable risk factors of cardiovascular disease (CVD); (2) patient education through cooperation between healthcare professionals and community partners for a whole-of-system approach; and (3) support for integrated care, including access to cardiac rehabilitation in the community, improved referral processes and access to nutrition/dietetics counselling and tobacco cessation, optimal use of information technology, and continued CV research.

Conclusion

Healthier Heart SG would bring the standards of care and CV care delivery in Singapore closer to achieving the vision of proactive prevention of CVD and CV morbidity and mortality. This can only be achieved through the concerted efforts of healthcare professionals, policymakers and community partners, coupled with the cooperation of community members.

Understanding the use of evidence-based medical therapy in patients with peripheral artery disease: A qualitative study using the Tailored Implementation for Chronic Diseases Framework

Introduction

The global burden of peripheral artery disease (PAD) has been increasing. Guidelines for PAD recommend evidence-based medical therapy (EBMT) to reduce the risks of cardiovascular events and death but the implementation of this is highly variable. This study aimed to understand the current practices regarding EBMT prescription in PAD patients and the key barriers and facilitators for implementing PAD guidelines.

Method

A qualitative study was conducted in the largest tertiary hospital in Singapore from December 2021 to March 2023. The participants included healthcare professionals and in-patient pharmacists involved in the care of PAD patients, as well as patients with PAD who had undergone a lower limb angioplasty revascularisation procedure. Data were collected through in-depth, individual semi-structured interviews conducted face-to-face or remotely by a trained research assistant. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed and systematically coded using data management software NVivo 12.0. The Tailored Implementation for Chronic Diseases (TICD) framework was used to guide the interviews and analysis.

Results

Twelve healthcare professionals (4 junior consultants, 7 senior consultants, and 1 senior in-patient pharmacist) and 4 patients were recruited. Nine themes in 7 domains emerged. Only a small proportion of doctors were aware of the relevant guidelines, and the generalisability of guidelines to patients with complicated conditions was the doctors' main concern. Other barriers included cost, frequent referrals, lack of interprofessional collaboration, not being the patients' long-term care providers, short consultation time and patients' limited medication knowledge.

Conclusion

Findings from this study may inform strategies for improving healthcare professionals' adherence to guidelines and patients' medication adherence.

Obesity and Peripheral Artery Disease: Current Evidence and Controversies

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Obesity is a significant public health problem and a major risk factor for the development and progression of atherosclerosis and its cardiovascular manifestations. Lower extremity peripheral artery disease (PAD) affects 3%-10% of the Western population and, if left untreated, can lead to devastating outcomes with both an increased risk of morbidity and mortality. Interestingly, the association between obesity and PAD remains debatable. Whereas it is well known that PAD and obesity frequently overlap in the same patients, many studies have demonstrated a negative association between obesity and PAD and a protective effect of obesity on disease development and progression, a phenomenon described as the "obesity paradox." Possible mechanisms for this paradox may include genetic background, as assessed by mendelian randomization studies, adipose tissue dysfunction, and body fat distribution rather than adiposity, while other factors, such as sex, ethnicity, sarcopenia in the elderly population, or aggressive treatment of co-existing metabolic conditions in individuals with obesity compared to those with normal weight, could have some impact as well.

RECENT RINDINGS

Few reviews and meta-analyses examining systematically the relationship between obesity and PAD exist. The impact of PAD development due to the presence of obesity remains largely controversial. However, the most current evidence, backed by a recent meta-analysis, suggests a potential protective role of a higher body mass index on PAD-related complications and mortality. In this review, we discuss the association between obesity and PAD development, progression, and management, and the potential pathophysiologic mechanisms linking the two diseases.

Genetic evidence for a causal relationship between type 2 diabetes and peripheral artery disease in both Europeans and East Asians

BACKGROUND

Observational studies have revealed that type 2 diabetes (T2D) is associated with an increased risk of peripheral artery disease (PAD). However, whether the two diseases share a genetic basis and whether the relationship is causal remain unclear. It is also unclear as to whether these relationships differ between ethnic groups.

METHODS

By leveraging large-scale genome-wide association study (GWAS) summary statistics of T2D (European-based: N_case = 21,926, N_control = 342,747; East Asian-based: N_case = 36,614, N_control = 155,150) and PAD (European-based: N_case = 5673, N_control = 359,551; East Asian-based: N_case = 3593, N_control = 208,860), we explored the genetic correlation and putative causal relationship between T2D and PAD in both Europeans and East Asians using linkage disequilibrium score regression and seven Mendelian randomization (MR) models. We also performed multi-trait analysis of GWAS and two gene-based analyses to reveal candidate variants and risk genes involved in the shared genetic basis between T2D and PAD.

RESULTS

We observed a strong genetic correlation (r_g) between T2D and PAD in both Europeans (r_g = 0.51; p-value = 9.34 × 10^-15) and East Asians (r_g = 0.46; p-value = 1.67 × 10^-12). The MR analyses provided consistent evidence for a causal effect of T2D on PAD in both ethnicities (odds ratio [OR] = 1.05 to 1.28 for Europeans and 1.15 to 1.27 for East Asians) but not PAD on T2D. This putative causal effect was not influenced by total cholesterol, body mass index, systolic blood pressure, or smoking initiation according to multivariable MR analysis, and the genetic overlap between T2D and PAD was further explored employing an independent European sample through polygenic risk score regression. Multi-trait analysis of GWAS revealed two novel European-specific single nucleotide polymorphisms (rs927742 and rs1734409) associated with the shared genetic basis of T2D and PAD. Gene-based analyses consistently identified one gene ANKFY1 and gene-gene interactions (e.g., STARD10 [European-specific] to AP3S2 [East Asian-specific]; KCNJ11 [European-specific] to KCNQ1 [East Asian-specific]) associated with the trans-ethnic genetic overlap between T2D and PAD, reflecting a common genetic basis for the co-occurrence of T2D and PAD in both Europeans and East Asians.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study provides the first evidence for a genetically causal effect of T2D on PAD in both Europeans and East Asians. Several candidate variants and risk genes were identified as being associated with this genetic overlap. Our findings emphasize the importance of monitoring PAD status in T2D patients and suggest new genetic biomarkers for screening PAD risk among patients with T2D.

The burden of costs on health services by patients with neuro-ischaemic ulcers in Singapore

The economic burden of neuro-ischaemic ulcers (NIU) is expected to increase because of rising prevalence of comorbidities in an aging population. We aim to estimate healthcare resources consumed by NIU patients, and to quantify the extent to which factors explain variation in cost-related outcomes. We analysed retrospective patient-level cohort data for NIU patients from a tertiary hospital registry in Singapore, from 2013 to 2017, using generalised linear regression models. The outcome variables were the length of stay per admission; inpatient and outpatient bill per admission; and, if they had an Emergency Department visit. Cost outcomes were reported in Singapore dollars (S$). A total of 1682 patients were included, and the mean age was 69.9 years (±13.0). An average patient incurred a length of stay of 38.7 days, 7.9 inpatient dressing sessions, an inpatient bill of S$33 096, 11.3 outpatient dressing sessions, and an outpatient bill of S$8780. Inpatient services per patient cost 73.5% higher than outpatient services. NIU patients with multiple (>3) comorbid conditions, peripheral artery disease, or chronic kidney disease incurred longer hospitalisation and higher inpatient bill. Patients with diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease had higher odds of incurring an ED visit. Patients with coronary artery disease, hyperlipidaemia, kidney complications, or obesity incurred higher outpatient bills. NIU treatment imposes a significant economic burden, especially with inpatient services.

Major limb amputation and mortality in patients with neuro-ischaemic lower extremity wounds managed in a tertiary hospital: Focus on the differences among patients with diabetes, peripheral arterial disease and both

A majority of lower extremities neuro‐ischaemic wounds (NIU) are related to: (a) only diabetes (DM); (b) only peripheral artery disease (PAD); (c) co‐existing diabetes and peripheral artery disease (DM‐PAD). This study aims to characterise the major clinical outcomes of forementioned three groups of lower extremity wound patients in Singapore. Patients hospitalised for lower extremity NIU between January 2014 and October 2017 in a tertiary hospital in Singapore were analysed. Patients' major limb amputation and mortality were assessed using Cox regression models. Cumulative survival and amputation‐free survival among the three classified groups were calculated using Kaplan‐Meier analysis. Compared with patients with only DM, those in the PAD group and the DM‐PAD group had higher risk of major limb amputation (adjusted hazard ratio: 2.47, 95% CI: 1.65‐3.70; adjusted hazard ratio: 2.01, 95% CI: 1.53‐2.65 respectively) and mortality (adjusted hazard ratio: 2.36, 95% CI: 1.57‐3.55; adjusted hazard ratio: 2.46, 95% CI: 1.86‐3.26 respectively). The 3‐year survival and amputation‐free survival were lowest in the DM‐PAD group (52.1% and 41.5% respectively), followed by the PAD group (53.3% and 44.6% respectively) and the DM group (74.2% and 68.5% respectively). Lower extremity NIU patients with PAD or DM‐PAD were found to have poorer clinical prognosis than those with DM only.

Physician initiated, prospective, non-randomized Multi-center trial, Investigating the safety and Efficacy of the TReatment with the LuminorTM Drug Coated Balloon and the AngioliteTM Drug Eluting Stent of IVascular in TASC C and D Tibial Occlusive disease iN patients with critical limb ischemia: 12-month results

BACKGROUND

The aim of MERLION (NCT04073121) was to evaluate the outcomes of the mono or combination therapy of the iVascular LuminorTM drug coated balloon (DCB) and AngioliteTM drug eluting stent for treatment of TASC II C/D tibial occlusive lesions in Asian patients presenting with chronic limb threatening ischemia (CLTI) from Singapore.

METHODS

MERLION was a prospective, non-randomized, single arm, observational, multicenter clinical study. Complication-free survival at one month was the safety endpoint. Immediate technical success, 12-month primary vessel patency, limb salvage, freedom from target lesion revascularization (TLR) and amputation free survival (AFS) were the efficacy endpoints of interest.

RESULTS

50 patients were included. There were 32 males (64% males; mean age 66.4±8.9 years). Majority were Rutherford 5 severity (41/50; 82%). Co-morbidities included diabetes mellitus (47/50; 94.0%), end-stage renal failure (25/50; 50.0%), and hypertension (44/50; 88%). 66 atherosclerotic lesions were treated (47 de novo and 19 restenotic; 60.6% TASC C and 39.4% TASC D). Mean lesion length treated was 13.7±9.5cm. There was 100% technical success. There were 3/66 (4.5%) bailout stenting for severe flow limiting dissections. 12-month primary tibial patency was 34/49 (69.4%) and freedom from TLR was 40/49 (81.5%). AFS was 74.0% (37/50). At 12 months, mean Rutherford scores improved from 100% (Rutherford score>3) at baseline to 31% at 12 months (p<0.05) and wound healing rate was 65.7%.

CONCLUSIONS

The iVascular LuminorTM DCB is safe and efficacious in treating highly complex infra-popliteal atherosclerotic lesions in an otherwise challenging frail population of CLTI patients from Singapore.

An Overview of Peripheral Artery Disease in the Elderly: A Study in a Tertiary Hospital Southern Nigeria

BACKGROUND

The incidence of Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD), one of the manifestations of atherosclerosis, is increasing worldwide with significant effects on the quality of life. The disease is a strong prognostic marker for future cardiovascular events in people over 60 years, but relatively little is known about the condition among the elderly in sub-Saharan Africa.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and pattern of peripheral artery disease in elderly patients. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional hospital-based study was carried out among elderly patients aged 60 years and above attending the Geriatric Clinic of the Department of Family Medicine of University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Edo State, Nigeria, from September to November 2017. Using systematic random sampling technique, 370 respondents were recruited from a sampling frame of 2160 respondents and a sampling fraction of 6. A structured questionnaire was administered to collect data on sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyle variable, and medical history. The ankle-brachial index (ABI) and toe-brachial index (TBI) were used to assess for PAD. The analysis was done using descriptive statistics.

RESULTS

The mean age was 69.3 ± 7 years comprising 76.5% females, 50% of the respondents were married, while 47% were widowed. The ABI showed 35.4% prevalence of PAD, while TBI for respondents with elevated ABI was 45.0%.

CONCLUSION

The study showed a point prevalence of PAD to be 37.8%. From the total respondents, 45.7% had mild, while 2.9% had severe PAD. Routine screening for PAD is recommended for the early detection and management.

2017 ACC/AHA blood pressure classification and incident peripheral artery disease: The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study

AIMS

The aim of this study was to evaluate the associations of blood pressure categorization based on the 2017 American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association guideline with the risk of peripheral artery disease (PAD).

METHODS

Among 13,113 middle-aged participants, we investigated the associations of 2017 blood pressure categories (systolic <120 and diastolic <80 mmHg (normal if no anti-hypertensive medications; reference), 120-129 and <80 (elevated), 130-139 and/or 80-89 (stage 1 hypertension), and ≥140 and/or ≥90 (stage 2 hypertension)) with incident PAD (hospitalizations with a diagnosis or leg revascularization) using Cox regression models. Analyses were separately conducted in individuals with and without anti-hypertensive medications.

RESULTS

During a median follow-up of 25.4 years, 466 incident PAD occurred (271 cases in 9858 participants without anti-hypertensive medications). In participants without anti-hypertensive medications, we observed significant hazard ratios of PAD in elevated blood pressure (1.80 (1.28-2.51)) and stage 2 hypertension (2.40 (1.72-3.34)), but not in stage 1 hypertension. Analyzing systolic and diastolic blood pressure separately, higher systolic blood pressure categories showed significant associations with incident PAD in a graded fashion whereas, for diastolic blood pressure, only ≥90 mmHg did. Generally similar patterns were seen among participants on anti-hypertensive medication, while they had higher risk of PAD than those without at each blood pressure category.

CONCLUSIONS

Systolic blood pressure, including the category of 130-139 mmHg, showed stronger associations with incident PAD than did diastolic blood pressure. Consequently, elevated blood pressure conferred similar or even greater risk of PAD than stage 1 hypertension, with implications on how to interpret new blood pressure categories in terms of leg vascular health.

Joint Effects of Plasma Homocysteine Concentration and Traditional Cardiovascular Risk Factors on the Risk of New-Onset Peripheral Arterial Disease

PURPOSE

Hyperhomocysteinemia is an independent risk factor for cardio- and cerebrovascular diseases. However, the relationship between plasma homocysteine (Hcy) concentration and peripheral arterial disease (PAD) has not been completely characterized. The aim of the present study was to determine the relationship between plasma Hcy concentration and new-onset PAD and to assess the effects of combinations of Hcy and traditional cardiovascular risk factors.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We conducted a prospective community-based cohort study of 3119 Chinese participants who did not have PAD at baseline, with a median follow-up period of 2.30 years. We used multivariate logistic regression models to evaluate the relationship between high Hcy (≥10µmol/L) and new-onset PAD. The effects of combinations of high Hcy and traditional cardiovascular risk factors were assessed using logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

After adjustment for 14 covariates, high Hcy concentration was significantly associated with new-onset PAD (odds ratio [OR]=2.08, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.08-4.03, P=0.030). Smokers with high Hcy concentration were substantially more likely to have new-onset PAD than non-smokers with normal Hcy concentration (OR=4.44, 95% CI: 1.77-11.12, P=0.001). The effect of diabetes on PAD became significant when present in combination with high Hcy concentration (OR=3.67, 95% CI: 1.25-10.80, P=0.018). Participants with both elevated Hcy levels and older age had the highest risk of new-onset PAD (OR=4.28, 95% CI: 1.83-10.01, P<0.001). With regard to the joint effect of Hcy and hypertension, dyslipidemia or sex, there was also a trend towards increased risk across four different groups (P for trend=0.026, 0.035, 0.016, respectively).

CONCLUSION

High plasma Hcy concentration independently predicts the incidence of PAD. Furthermore, there is a joint effect of high Hcy concentration and traditional cardiovascular risk factors such as smoking, diabetes and aging on the incidence of PAD.

Clinical management of type 2 diabetes in south Asia

Compared with other ethnic groups, south Asian people with type 2 diabetes tend to develop the disease at a younger age and manifest with higher glycaemia, dyslipidaemia, nephropathy, and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, specific issues that can affect treatment of type 2 diabetes in south Asia include poor awareness of the disease, delay in diagnosis, inadequate treatment, the use of ineffective and often harmful alternative medicines, and frequent non-compliance with lifestyle recommendations and drug treatment. Disease development at younger ages, delayed diagnosis, and inadequate management result in early development of severe complications and premature mortality. In this Series paper, we describe the challenges associated with the increasing burden of type 2 diabetes in south Asia and discuss ways to improve clinical care of people with the disorder in the region (defined to include Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka). Treatment of diabetes in south Asia needs to be individualised on the basis of diverse and heterogeneous lifestyle, phenotype, environmental, social, cultural, and economic factors. Aggressive management of risk factors from diagnosis is necessary to reduce the risk of microvascular and macrovascular complications, focusing on provision of basic treatments (eg, metformin, low-cost statins, and blood pressure-lowering drugs) and other interventions such as smoking cessation. Strengthening of the primary care model of care, better referral linkages, and implementation of rehabilitation services to care for patients with chronic complications will be important. Finally, improvement of physicians' skills, provision of relevant training to non-physician health-care workers, and the development and regular updating of national clinical management guidelines will also be crucial to improve diabetes care in the region.

Peripheral artery disease in HIV-infected older adults on antiretroviral treatment in Thailand

OBJECTIVES

HIV infection has become a chronic disease requiring long-term treatment. Premature cardiovascular disease resulting from atherosclerosis in the HIV-infected population has been observed. We assessed the prevalence of peripheral artery disease (PAD), a common consequence of atherosclerosis, in HIV-infected patients aged ≥ 50 years receiving antiretroviral treatment (ART).

METHODS

This cross-sectional study was conducted in 12 community hospitals in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Inclusion criteria were as follows: (1) age ≥ 50 years, (2) positive HIV status, and (3) currently receiving ART. Age- and sex-matched hospital patients without documented HIV infection were enrolled as a comparison group. Clinical data were extracted from hospital records. Personal information and details of PAD-related symptoms were obtained through face-to-face interviews. The diagnosis of PAD was made using ankle-brachial index (ABI) measurement.

RESULTS

Seven hundred and twenty-four participants were enrolled in the study (362 HIV-infected patients and 362 patients in the comparison group). In the HIV-infected group, 43% were male; the mean (± standard deviation) age was 57.8 ± 5.6 years. The mean (± standard deviation) times from HIV diagnosis and ART initiation were 10.0 ± 4.3 and 8.6 ± 3.5 years, respectively. The prevalence of abnormal ABI (< 1.00) was significantly lower in the HIV-infected group than in the comparison group (20 versus 27%, respectively; P = 0.03), while that of PAD (ABI ≤ 0.90) was not significantly different between the two groups (5 and 7%, respectively). In the HIV-infected group, female sex and low body mass index were independently associated with abnormal ABI.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of PAD when measured by ABI in HIV-infected older adults was relatively low. A follow-up study to determine the incidence of PAD and its persistence with time is warranted.

Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease in South Asians in the United States: Epidemiology, Risk Factors, and Treatments: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association

South Asians (from Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka) make up one quarter of the world's population and are one of the fastest-growing ethnic groups in the United States. Although native South Asians share genetic and cultural risk factors with South Asians abroad, South Asians in the United States can differ in socioeconomic status, education, healthcare behaviors, attitudes, and health insurance, which can affect their risk and the treatment and outcomes of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). South Asians have higher proportional mortality rates from ASCVD compared with other Asian groups and non-Hispanic whites, in contrast to the finding that Asian Americans (Asian Indian, Chinese, Filipino, Japanese, Korean, and Vietnamese) aggregated as a group are at lower risk of ASCVD, largely because of the lower risk observed in East Asian populations. Literature relevant to South Asian populations regarding demographics and risk factors, health behaviors, and interventions, including physical activity, diet, medications, and community strategies, is summarized. The evidence to date is that the biology of ASCVD is complex but is no different in South Asians than in any other racial/ethnic group. A majority of the risk in South Asians can be explained by the increased prevalence of known risk factors, especially those related to insulin resistance, and no unique risk factors in this population have been found. This scientific statement focuses on how ASCVD risk factors affect the South Asian population in order to make recommendations for clinical strategies to reduce disease and for directions for future research to reduce ASCVD in this population.

Relationships between chronic comorbidities and the atherosclerosis indicators ankle-brachial index and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

This study aimed to determine associations between ankle-brachial index (ABI) and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) with different comorbidities in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). Records of patients with type 2 DM who received an ABI and baPWV examination between August 2013 and February 2015 were retrospectively reviewed. Associations of ABI and baPWV with chronic kidney disease (CKD), chronic liver disease (CLD), coronary artery disease (CAD) and diabetic nephropathy (DN) were examined by regression analysis. A total of 1232 patients (average age, 65.1±10.0 years) were included in the analysis. CKD and DN were associated with low ABI and increased baPWV (all, P<0.001). No associations were found between CAD and CLD and ABI or baPWV. Thus, regression analysis was performed for CKD and DN. Low ABI was associated with risk of CKD in the crude model (OR 0.724, 95% CI 0.648 to 0.808, P<0.001) and adjusted model (OR 0.872, 95% CI 0.762 to 0.999, P=0.048), whereas baPWV was only significant in the crude model (OR 1.199, 95% CI 1.112 to 1.294, P<0.001). Low ABI was associated with risk of DN in the crude model (OR 0.873, 95% CI 0.780 to 0.977, P=0.018) and adjusted model (OR 0.884, 95% CI 0.782 to 0.999, P=0.048). No association was found for baPWV. In conclusion, low ABI was associated with risk of CKD and DN in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Longitudinal trends in HbA1c and associations with comorbidity and all-cause mortality in Asian patients with type 2 diabetes: A cohort study

AIMS

This study examined longitudinal trends in HbA1c in a multi-ethnic Asian cohort of diabetes patients, and the associations of these trends with future risk of acute myocardial infarction (AMI), stroke, end stage renal failure (ESRD) and all-cause mortality.

METHODS

6079 participants with type 2 diabetes mellitus in Singapore were included. HbA1c measurements for the five years previous to recruitment were used to identify patterns of HbA1c trends. Outcomes were recorded through linkage with the National Disease Registry. The median follow-up for longitudinal trends in HbA1c was 4.1years and for outcomes was between 7.0 and 8.3years. HbA1c patterns were identified using latent class growth modeling, and associations with outcomes were analyzed using Cox proportional hazards models.

RESULTS

Four distinct HbA1c patterns were observed; "low-stable" (72·2%), "moderate-stable" (22·0%), "moderate-increase" (2·9%), and "high-decrease" (2·8%). The risk of comorbidities and death was significantly higher in moderate-increase and high-decrease groups compared to the low-stable group; the hazard ratios for stroke, ESRD, and death for moderate increase group were 3.22 (95%CI 1.27-8.15), 4.76 (95%CI 1.92-11.83), and 1.88 (95%CI 1.15-3.07), respectively, and for high-decrease group were 2.16 (95%CI 1.02-4.57), 3.05 (95%CI 1.54-6.07), and 2.79 (95%CI 1.97-3.95), respectively. Individuals in the moderate-increase group were significantly younger, with longer diabetes duration, and greater proportions of Malays and Indians.

CONCLUSIONS

Deteriorating HbA1c pattern and extremely high initial HbA1c are associated with increased risk of long-term comorbidities and death. Therapeutic interventions to alter longitudinal HbA1c trends may be helpful in reducing this risk.

Incidence of Peripheral Arterial Disease and Its Association with Pulse Pressure: A Prospective Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

The association of pulse pressure and peripheral arterial disease (PAD) has seldom been examined using a prospective design. This study aimed to investigate the association of pulse pressure with PAD incidence in an elderly general population.

METHODS

We utilized data from a cohort conducted in Beijing with additionally 2-year follow-up time. PAD was defined as an ankle brachial index value <0.9 in either leg. Cox proportional hazard regression model was used to quantify the magnitude of pulse pressure on PAD incidence.

RESULTS

During a 2-year follow-up time, 357 of 4,201 (8.5%) participants developed PAD with 105 (6.9%) men and 252 (9.4%) women, respectively. After adjusting for baseline age, sex, body mass index, hypertension, diabetes, total cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and smoking, the hazard ratio and 95% confidence interval for people with pulse pressure greater than 60 mmHg was 2.20 (1.53, 3.15) compared with those whose pulse pressure was less than 40 mmHg. A linear trend was observed for the association of pulse pressure with PAD.

CONCLUSION

Higher pulse pressure was associated with higher PAD incidence.

Prevalence, incidence and progression of peripheral arterial disease in Asian Indian type 2 diabetic patients

OBJECTIVE

To assess the prevalence, incidence, etiology and factors related to progression of peripheral arterial disease [PAD] in Asian Indian type 2 diabetic patients.

METHODS

Patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM), with multiple Doppler studies done between 2001 and 2011 at a tertiary diabetes center in south India, were included. Baseline clinical and biochemical characteristics and ankle brachial index [ABI] measurements were abstracted from the electronic medical records.

RESULTS

2512 T2DM patients were followed for an average of 7years. 7.6% of the study population had PAD in 2001 [women, 11.8%; men, 5.1%] with an adjusted odds ratio (OR) of 3.09 [confidence interval (CI): 1.9-4.9] for women. Prevalent PAD was associated with increased mortality [hazards ratio (HR) 3.3, CI: 1.4-7.7]. 280 new patients of PAD were identified - crude incidence, 17/1000 patient years with higher rates in females [HR 1.94, CI: 1.4-2.7]. Age and duration of diabetes were the other predictors of incident PAD. Progression of PAD was seen in 16.5% of patients, with age (p=0.002) and HbA1c (p=0.022) being the predictors.

CONCLUSIONS

Women had a higher prevalence of PAD. Older age, female gender and duration of diabetes were related to an increased incidence of PAD. An elevated HbA1c being associated with progression of PAD stresses the need for strict control of diabetes.

Shared and additional risk factors for decrease of toe-brachial index compared to ankle-brachial index in Japanese patients with diabetes mellitus

OBJECTIVE

Some diabetic patients have a low toe-brachial index (TBI) despite their normal ankle-brachial index (ABI). We statistically investigated whether the impact of risk factors on TBI would be different compared to ABI.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

We used a database of 1738 limbs of consecutive 869 Japanese diabetic patients whose ABI and TBI were simultaneously evaluated. We developed a common regression model to ABI and TBI by extending the linear mixed model, and statistically detected the difference in the impact of risk factors between the two indices.

RESULTS

Sex, smoking, proteinuria, hypertension, and history of stroke and coronary artery disease were common independent risk factors for the decrease of ABI and TBI; their impacts on ABI and TBI were not significantly different. On the other hand, the impact of age, diabetic duration, and body mass index was significantly different between the two indices (all p < 0.05). Age and body mass index were significantly associated with TBI but not with ABI. Diabetic duration had a significant impact both on TBI and ABI, but the impact on TBI was significantly greater than that on ABI (β = -0.144 vs. -0.087; p < 0.05). In the population with normal ABI, patients with these risk factors had a higher prevalence of decreased TBI.

CONCLUSIONS

The risk factors for the decrease of ABI and TBI were not identical in Japanese diabetic patients. Age, diabetic duration and body mass index were associated with reduced TBI in patients with normal ABI.

Relationship between peripheral artery disease and combined albuminuria and low estimated glomerular filtration rate among elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

This study aimed at investigating the combined effects of albuminuria and reduced estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) on peripheral artery disease (PAD) among elderly patients with diabetes. A total of 236 subjects were cross-classified into four groups according to the presence or absence of albuminuria (urinary albumin creatinine ratio (ACR) ≥ 30 mg/g) and low eGFR (<60 mL/min/1.73 m²). Cardiovascular risk factors and the ankle-brachial index (ABI) were also assessed. After multivariate adjustment using logistic regression analysis, the odds ratios (OR) for prevalent PAD related to albuminuria with preserved eGFR, normoalbuminuria with low eGFR and albuminuria with low eGFR compared to normoalbuminuria with preserved eGFR were 1.10 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.43-2.79], 3.14 (95% CI = 1.20-8.22) and 3.87 (95% CI = 1.72-8.72), respectively. In conclusion, in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes, both normoalbuminuria with low eGFR and albuminuria with low eGFR are associated independently with PAD.

Comparison of global estimates of prevalence and risk factors for peripheral artery disease in 2000 and 2010: a systematic review and analysis

BACKGROUND

Lower extremity peripheral artery disease is the third leading cause of atherosclerotic cardiovascular morbidity, following coronary artery disease and stroke. This study provides the first comparison of the prevalence of peripheral artery disease between high-income countries (HIC) and low-income or middle-income countries (LMIC), establishes the primary risk factors for peripheral artery disease in these settings, and estimates the number of people living with peripheral artery disease regionally and globally.

METHODS

We did a systematic review of the literature on the prevalence of peripheral artery disease in which we searched for community-based studies since 1997 that defined peripheral artery disease as an ankle brachial index (ABI) lower than or equal to 0·90. We used epidemiological modelling to define age-specific and sex-specific prevalence rates in HIC and in LMIC and combined them with UN population numbers for 2000 and 2010 to estimate the global prevalence of peripheral artery disease. Within a subset of studies, we did meta-analyses of odds ratios (ORs) associated with 15 putative risk factors for peripheral artery disease to estimate their effect size in HIC and LMIC. We then used the risk factors to predict peripheral artery disease numbers in eight WHO regions (three HIC and five LMIC).

FINDINGS

34 studies satisfied the inclusion criteria, 22 from HIC and 12 from LMIC, including 112,027 participants, of which 9347 had peripheral artery disease. Sex-specific prevalence rates increased with age and were broadly similar in HIC and LMIC and in men and women. The prevalence in HIC at age 45-49 years was 5·28% (95% CI 3·38-8·17%) in women and 5·41% (3·41-8·49%) in men, and at age 85-89 years, it was 18·38% (11·16-28·76%) in women and 18·83% (12·03-28·25%) in men. Prevalence in men was lower in LMIC than in HIC (2·89% [2·04-4·07%] at 45-49 years and 14·94% [9·58-22·56%] at 85-89 years). In LMIC, rates were higher in women than in men, especially at younger ages (6·31% [4·86-8·15%] of women aged 45-49 years). Smoking was an important risk factor in both HIC and LMIC, with meta-OR for current smoking of 2·72 (95% CI 2·39-3·09) in HIC and 1·42 (1·25-1·62) in LMIC, followed by diabetes (1·88 [1·66-2·14] vs 1·47 [1·29-1·68]), hypertension (1·55 [1·42-1·71] vs 1·36 [1·24-1·50]), and hypercholesterolaemia (1·19 [1·07-1·33] vs 1·14 [1·03-1·25]). Globally, 202 million people were living with peripheral artery disease in 2010, 69·7% of them in LMIC, including 54·8 million in southeast Asia and 45·9 million in the western Pacific Region. During the preceding decade the number of individuals with peripheral artery disease increased by 28·7% in LMIC and 13·1% in HIC.

INTERPRETATION

In the 21st century, peripheral artery disease has become a global problem. Governments, non-governmental organisations, and the private sector in LMIC need to address the social and economic consequences, and assess the best strategies for optimum treatment and prevention of this disease.

FUNDING

Peripheral Arterial Disease Research Coalition (Europe).

Differences of ankle-brachial index according to ischemic stroke subtypes: the peripheral artery disease in Korean patients with ischemic stroke (PIPE) study

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Although previous studies showed a high prevalence of abnormal ankle-brachial index (ABI) in patients with ischemic stroke, few data exist regarding ABI in Asian patients with ischemic stroke. The purpose of the present study was to determine the prevalence and factors associated with abnormal ABI (≤0.9) in a cohort of ischemic stroke patients.

METHODS

In this prospective multicenter study, 1,293 patients diagnosed with acute ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack underwent ABI measurement to evaluate an association between abnormal ABI and vascular risk factors and clinical characteristics. Differences in ABI by stroke subtypes were also assessed.

RESULTS

Abnormal ABI of ≤0.9 was found in 13.0%. Patients with abnormal ABI were more likely to be older and had higher initial stroke severity. The prevalence of abnormal ABI was 18.4% in large artery atherosclerosis, 7% in small artery disease, and 19.2% in cardioembolism (p < 0.001). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that age, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, and large artery atherosclerosis subtype were independent factors associated with abnormal ABI.

CONCLUSIONS

These data suggest that the prevalence of abnormal ABI in Korean patients with ischemic stroke was lower than that in Caucasian patients, which might be associated with ethnic differences in underlying stroke subtypes.

Peripheral artery disease in peritoneal dialysis and hemodialysis patients: single-center retrospective study in Taiwan

Background

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a condition characterized by restricted blood flow to the extremities, and is especially common in the elderly. PAD increases the risk for mortality and morbidity in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD), especially those on hemodialysis (HD).

Methods

The records of 484 patients with end-stage renal disease who were on HD or peritoneal dialysis (PD) were reviewed. PAD was diagnosed based on the ankle-brachial pressure index (ABI). Demographic and clinical characteristics were analyzed.

Results

PAD had an overall prevalence of 18.2% and was significantly more common in HD patients (21.8%) than in PD patients (4.8%). Advanced age, diabetes mellitus, smoking, low parathyroid hormone level, elevated serum ferritin, elevated serum glucose, and low serum creatinine levels increased the risk for PAD. PAD was independently associated with advanced age, diabetes mellitus, duration of dialysis, low serum creatinine, and hyperlipidemia. PD patients had a significantly lower prevalence of PAD than HD patients, maybe due to their younger age and lower prevalence of diabetes mellitus in this present study.

Conclusions

The prevalence of PAD was greater in the HD group than the PD group. Most of the risk factors for PAD were specific to HD, and no analyzed factor was significantly associated with PAD in PD patients.

Prevalence of low ankle brachial index and its association with pulse pressure in an elderly Chinese population: a cross-sectional study

Background

We investigated the prevalence of low ankle brachial index (ABI) and the association of low ABI with pulse pressure among elderly community residents in China.

Methods

This population-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Beijing and recruited 2982 participants who were aged 60 years or older in 2007. Low ABI was defined as an ABI value less than 0.9 in either leg. Participants with or without stroke or coronary heart disease (CHD) were analyzed separately. The association between pulse pressure and low ABI was examined by using multiple logistic regression models.

Results

The prevalence of low ABI was 5.65% (4.24% among men and 6.52% among women; P = 0.0221) among participants without stroke or CHD and 10.91% (13.07% among men and 9.49% among women; P = 0.1328) among those with stroke or CHD. After adjusting for confounders, the odds ratio (95% CI) for each 5-mm Hg increase in pulse pressure was 1.19 (1.07, 1.33) and 1.10 (1.02, 1.20) for men and women, respectively, among participants without stroke or CHD and 1.17 (1.03, 1.34) and 1.15 (1.02, 1.30) for men and women with stroke or CHD. When pulse pressure was classified into quartiles and the lowest quartile was used as reference, the association between pulse pressure and low ABI remained positive in men and women.

Conclusions

Low ABI was prevalent among elderly Chinese, and pulse pressure was positively associated with low ABI.