Incidence of Asymptomatic Peripheral Arterial Occlusive Disease in Diabetic Patients Attending a Hospital Clinic

Abstract

Vascular events are the major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with dia-betes mellitus, with an overall 50% mortality after 40 years duration of diabetes (Deckert 1978). Peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD) develops prematurely, more fre-quently, rapidly and extensively than in non-diabetic subjects. Peripheral atherosclerosis in patients with diabetes has a particular predilection for the peroneal and tibial arteries between the knees and ankles. Aorto-iliac disease occurs less commonly, whereas disease in the femoro-popliteal area has an incidence similar to that of non-diabetic subjects (Banga 1994). The incidence of clinically symptomatic PAOD in patients with diabetes is estimated to be two to five fold compared with the general population. Ten percent of pa-tients have evidence of PAOD at the time of diagnosis (UKPDS 1991) and the cumulative incidence rises to 45% after 20 years duration (Janka et al 1980). The incidence of asymp-tomatic PAOD in diabetes has not yet been studied.