Utility of ankle-brachial index in screening for peripheral arterial disease in rural India: A cross-sectional study and review of literature.

BACKGROUND

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is an underdiagnosed illness often affecting the elderly population. Ankle brachial index (ABI) is a good diagnostic tool for PAD in outpatient practice, but remains underused.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

Patients were recruited from an outpatient medical camp in rural India, and assessed for symptoms and pre-existing risk factors. Measured ABI≤0.9 was considered abnormal and considered PAD.

RESULTS

Out of 100 patients recruited, PAD was diagnosed in 57 patients. Associated risk factors were like age >55years (67%), hypertension (66%), smoking (69%) and diabetes mellitus (35%) were common.

CONCLUSION

PAD is a very common and underdiagnosed illness in rural India. A simple tool like ABI can help diagnosis in underserved areas.