STUDY OF ANKLE BRACHIAL INDEX IN SYSTEMIC HYPERTENSION_A CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY.

Background: Patients who suffer from systemic hypertension frequently have peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Ankle brachial index is a simple approach for detecting asymptomatic PAD. PAD is indicated by an ABI of 0.9. PAD predicts a significant cardiovascular risk and is a sign of atherosclerosis. Aim: To study the effect of systemic hypertension on ankle brachial index and to assess the effect duration of hypertension and blood pressure on ankle brachial index. Materials and Method:Present study was a prospective cross-sectional study conducted in Department of general medicine, SreeMookambika Institute of Medical Sciences, Kulasekharam for a period of 8 months. A total of 75 patients with hypertension attending general medicine out-patient department were included in the study. Patient details were recorded which included age, sex, BMI, duration of hypertension, blood pressure and ankle brachial index. Results were analysed using SPSS 20.0 version and the association was tested using Chi square test. Results: Prevalence of asymptomatic PAD was 52%. Of the 39 patients with ABI was =0.9, 28(71.8%) were males and 11(28.2%) were females. Statistically significant association was found between ABI and age, gender, duration of hypertension and BMI. As the systolic and diastolic BP increases the ABI decreased. Conclusion: In patients with high blood pressure, low ABI is a reliable indicator of mortality. The assessment of the overall cardiovascular risk in the hypertensive population may be aided by the diagnosis of PAD in hypertensives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]