R2CHADS2 score is significantly associated with ankle-brachial index <0.9 in patients without atrial fibrillation

- ABI is a non-invasive and reliable diagnostic tool for PAOD.
- Impaired renal function was reported to be an important risk factor of PAOD.
- This study shows R2CHADS2 score was significantly associated with ABI < 0.9 in non-AF patients.

ObjectivePrevious studies demonstrated CHADS2 score and impaired renal function were both associated with ankle-brachial index (ABI) < 0.9 in patients without atrial fibrillation (AF). Hence, we hypothesized the R2CHADS2 score had a significant correlation with ABI < 0.9 and the aim of this study was to validate this association in non-AF patients.MethodsA total of 1482 patients without AF were included. ABI was measured using an ABI-form device. Peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD) was defined as ABI < 0.9 in either leg.ResultsOf the 1482 subjects, the prevalence of ABI < 0.9 was 5.6%. Multivariate analysis showed that increased age (odds ratio [OR], 1.049; P < 0.001), decreased estimated glomerular filtration rate (OR, 0.978; P = 0.006), and increased R2CHADS2 score (OR, 1.738; P < 0.001) were associated with ABI < 0.9. In addition, in patients with CHADS2 score ≧ 2, the presence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) was significantly associated with ABI < 0.9 (P ≦ 0.006), but in patients with CHADS2 score < 2, there was no such association (P = 0.357).ConclusionsOur study demonstrated R2CHADS2 score was positively correlated with ABI < 0.9. In addition, the presence of CKD was a risk factor of ABI < 0.9 in patients with CHADS2 score ≧ 2. Hence, increased R2CHADS2 score in non-AF patients and the presence of CKD in non-AF patients with CHADS2 score ≧ 2 were useful parameters in identifying the high risk group of PAOD.