Peripheral Arterial Disease Incidence and Associated Risk Factors in a Mediterranean Population-based Cohort. The REGICOR Study

ObjectivesThe reported incidence of lower extremity peripheral arterial disease (PAD) in Western countries ranges between 530 and 2,380 per 100,000 person years. The aims of this study were to determine the incidence of PAD and identify associated risk factors in a Mediterranean population.MethodsCardiovascular risk factors, the Edinburgh questionnaire, and ankle brachial index (ABI) were collected from 5,434 individuals, aged 35–79 years, from a population based cohort study at baseline and after a mean of 5.7 years follow up. PAD was defined as ABI <0.9 or a clinical diagnosis during follow up. Logistic and regression tree analyses were used to identify factors associated with PAD.ResultsIn total, 118 new cases of confirmed PAD were identified. The cumulative population incidence rate of PAD was 377 cases per 100,000 person years. For symptomatic PAD, this figure was 102 per 100,000 person years. The most important risk factors for PAD were current (OR 2.30; 95% CI 1.27–4.16) or former smoking (OR 2.02; 95% CI 1.19–3.43), diabetes (OR 1.78; 95% CI 1.17–2.72), age (OR 1.04; 95% CI 1.02–1.07), history of cardiovascular disease (OR 2.06; 95% CI 1.22–3.51), triglycerides level (OR 1.56; 95% CI 1.07–2.29), and systolic blood pressure (OR 1.02; 95% CI 1.01–1.03). In the population ≤65 years the most relevant risk factor was diabetes, whereas in those >65 years smoking was the leading factor. Long-term uncontrolled diabetes was the strongest risk factor for PAD (OR 10.14; 95% CI 3.57–28.79).ConclusionThe incidence of lower extremity PAD is lower in the Mediterranean area than has been reported for other areas. The data suggest that patients with long-term uncontrolled diabetes and former and current smokers older than 65 years should be considered for PAD screening.