PERIPHERAL ARTERIAL OCCLUSIVE DISEASE AND VARICOSE VEINS IN DIABETIC PATIENTS

Abstract

Background. Diabetes mellitus is an independent risk factor which increase cardiovascular morbidity and mortality by 1.5–3 times. The aim of this study was to determine the difference in the frequency of peripheral arterial occlusive disease, mediacalcinosis of the lower limbs and varicose veins between diabetic patients and healthy subjects. Patients and methods. The test group included 138 diabetic patients, 60 males and 78 females, aged between 23 and 88. The control group consisted of 138 patients without diabetes, who were comparable to the test group by age, sex, and profession. Peripheral arterial occlusive disease and mediacalcinosis were diagnosed in the lower extremities by means Doppler ultrasound and electronic oscillography. Varicose veins were diagnosed clinicaly. Results. Peripheral arterial occlusive disease was diagnosed in 26% of patients with diabetes mellitus, and in 8.7% of the control group. The difference is statistically significant (p < 0.001). Mediacalcinosis of the lower limbs was diagnosed with 8.7% of the diabetic patients and 3.6% of healthy controls (p < 0.05). 70.3% patients in the diabetic group and 68% patients in the control group had varicose veins of the lower limbs. This difference is not statistically significant, as the differences did not appear at all stages of chronic venous insufficiency. Conclusions. Our study has demonstrated that peripheral arterial occlusive disease is frequently present in diabetes mellitus. We are certainly justified in determining the presence of other risk factors in diabetes with the aim of early prevention and therapy.