Metabolic syndrome associates with high and low ankle brachial index

Abstract

Objectives: Abnormal ankle brachial index (ABI) is associated with morbidity and mortality of coronary heart disease and stroke. Both low (<0.90) and high ABI (>1.30) are associated with arterial disease, the former is resulted from atherosclerosis and the high ABI is related to arterial stiffness more related to diabetes and age. Metabolic syndrome has been proposed as a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. However, few epidemiological data about relationship between ABI and the prevalence of metabolic syndrome are available. The purpose of this study is to clarify if metabolic syndrome associated with abnormal ABI. Methods: We recruited 4902 subjects, ages 40–83, from 7 communities in China. Participants were divided into 7 groups according to ABI (<0.80, 0.80–0.90, 0.90–1.00, 1.00–1.10, 1.10–1.20, 1.20–1.30, >1.30) determined by using Doppler device. Metabolic syndrome was defined by the criteria of International Diabetes Federation. The association and correlation between metabolic syndrome and ABI were examined. Results: Metabolic syndrome was associated with both low (<1.00) and high ABI (>1.30, P<0.05). After adjusting for sex, age and other cardiovascular risk factors by using multiple logistical regression analysis, the association remained, OR=0.351, 95% CI 0.162–0.76 for low ABI group (P<0.01), OR=5.77, 95% CI 1.51–22.4 for high ABI group (P=0.01). Metabolic syndrome was negatively correlated with low ABI (r=−0.78, P<0.01) but positively correlated with high ABI (r=0.73, P<0.01). Conclusion: Metabolic syndrome is associated with low and high ABI. The association is much stronger in the high ABI group than in the low ABI group.