Correlation between a positive family risk score and peripheral artery disease in one case-control and two population-based studies

- We generated family risk scores (FamRS) using age of diseased parents and siblings.
- FamRS were calculated for MI, stroke, diabetes, hypertension, PAD and obesity.
- A correlation between positive FamRS and PAD was found for several diseases.
- A combination of the various FamRS was significantly associated with prevalent PAD.
- A FamRS calculation tool that considers age and family size can guide a physician.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the association between a family history of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases or risk factors and the presence of peripheral artery disease (PAD).MethodsParticipants were recruited within one PAD case-control study (CAVASIC, n = 481) and two population-based studies (KORA-F3, n = 3118; KORA-F4, n = 1325). In the KORA studies, an ankle-brachial-index <0.9 and/or symptomatic claudication was defined as PAD. For myocardial infarction, stroke, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, PAD, and obesity, family risk scores (FamRS) were calculated taking into account the number and age of diseased parents and siblings and regressed on prevalent PAD or ankle-brachial-index.ResultsA significant association with PAD was found for family history of myocardial infarction and hypertension in a combined analysis of all studies and for family history of PAD in the case-control study. A combined family history score was derived from FamRS myocardial infarction, stroke, diabetes mellitus, hypertension and PAD. A positive family history of at least two and/or a strong positive family history of at least one of these diseases was found to be associated with increased risk of prevalent PAD in all three studies, even after adjustment for classical risk factors (OR = 1.93, 95%CI = [1.53-2.44], p = 2.6 × 10−8).ConclusionThe presence of a positive family history for cardiovascular and metabolic diseases or risk factors was shown to be associated with the presence of PAD. A FamRS calculation tool that considers age and family size can guide a physician to perform extended examinations to prevent complications and progression of PAD.