Relationship of Ankle Brachial Index with Age, Body Mass Index, Smoking and Lipid Profile

Aim: To assess the relationship of Ankle brachial index with age, BMI, smoking and lipid profile. Method: Cross-sectional observational study conducted on outpatients 150 risk subjects. Subjects were selected on the basis of age >45 yrs for males and 50 years for females along with conventional cardiovascular risk factors including hypertension, obesity, smoking and diabetes. The subjects were divided on the basis of basis of ABI >0.9 and <0.9 into two groups. Fasting samples were collected for laboratory examination of serum glucose, lipid profile. ABI was taken from subjects in supine position after rest of 10 minutes by using hand held Doppler. Results: We found subjects with ABI >0.9 were comparatively younger than those with ABI <0.9 (p value <0.001). There was no significant difference in BMI but difference was statically significant for waist circumference. 60% subject in group II were smokers as compare to 26% in group I (p value 0.002). It was found that levels of total cholesterol and LDL were higher in group II and p value was statically significant, but non significant for HDL and triglycerides. The correlation of age (r=-0.42) and waist circumference(r=-0.29) with ABI was negatively significant. Conclusion: Peripheral arterial disease (ABI <0.9) is common in selected risk population but diagnosis is not promptly established. The ABI can be used as bed side technique to detect high risk subjects.