Prevalence of Lower Extremity Arterial Disease Defined by the Ankle-Brachial Index Among American Indians: The Inter-Tribal Heart Project

Objectives: This study examines the prevalence of lower extremity arterial disease (LEAD) and its association with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors. Methods: Linear and logistic regression were used to analyze cross-sectional data from 1333 Chippewa and Menominee Indians. Results: Approximately 6.4% of participants (6.9% of men, 6.1% of women) had LEAD. Among women, LEAD was associated with lower high-density Iipoprotein cholesterol; higher levels of diastolic blood pressure, creatinine, and triglycerides; and current smoking, diabetes, microalbuminuria, prior myocardial infarction, and stroke (P≤.05). Among men, LEAD was associated with higher levels of creatinine (P≤.05). Conclusions: Use of the ankle-brachial index to assess LEAD is a noninvasive and inexpensive measurement that can be used by clinicians to identify persons at increased risk of developing CVD, and may provide opportunities to prevent CVD.