Peripheral arterial disease and its predictors in type 2 diabetic patients in Nnewi, South-Eastern Nigeria

Background: Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a cause of foot disease in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients. Data on associated predictors of PAD in Nigerian T2DM patients are scanty, especially from Southeastern Nigeria. Objectives: The objective was to evaluate the prevalence and predictors of PAD in T2DM patients in Southeastern Nigeria. Materials and Methods: This is a cross-sectional study involving consenting T2DM patients at the Diabetes Clinic of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Southeastern Nigeria. History was obtained and physical examination was done on the study participants. Doppler ultrasound of the peripheral vessels was done using the Imex PD II Doppler device. Records of fasting plasma glucose on the day of Doppler assessment, glycated hemoglobin, fasting lipid profile, and electrocardiogram, done within the preceding 3 months, were obtained from the patients' clinic folders. PAD was defined as ankle–brachial pressure index <0.9 or >1.3. Data collection was done using researcher-administered study pro forma and analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 20.P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Of 100 T2DM patients (45 males and 55 females) recruited for the study, 74 (30 [40.5%] males and 44 [59.5%] females) had a complete data for analysis. The prevalence of PAD among the study participants was 59.5%. Significant predictors of PAD include the duration of DM, abdominal obesity, hypertension, triglyceride (TG), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels. Conclusion: PAD is prevalent in T2DM patients in Southeastern Nigeria, with duration of DM, abdominal obesity, hypertension, TG, and HDL-C levels being significant predictors of PAD.