Prevalence of peripheral arteries disease and cardio-metabolic profile of saharian population of Tindouf

Abstract

Few data are available on the prevalence of peripheral arteries disease (PAD) and the frequency of cardiovascular risk factors in saharian population of Algeria. This population has the particularity of being heterogeneous composed of sedentary and nomadic people. After a call to the local radio, the adult population of Tindouf is invited to basic care unit to be screened for risk factors and cardiovascular diseases. The PAD is assessed by Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI). A sample of 790 consecutive patients is selected. The mean age is 47.4 years (18–80 y). Among them, 38.0% are male, 14.1% smokers and 41.0% hypertensive. Only one in three hypertensive patients is known. There are 26.9% of diabetics and 41.0% of patients are obese. The frequency of obesity is worrying among women, reaching 50.0% of them. Moreover, 81.5% of women have a waist circumference greater than 88. Dyslipidemia is observed in 32.1% of patients. Most often these are lowered HDL-c levels and increased triglyceride levels (lipid profile related to insulin resistance state). Only 21.7% have elevated LDL-c levels. No patient has an LDL-c level greater than 1.9 g/L. We note a high prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in the south as in the north with a strong early stage of hypertension, diabetes, android obesity, obesity, dyslipidemia, we also note the alarming progression of cardiovascular risks. Especially for diabetes 26.9% against 7.3% in 2003, and 10 times for obesity android 69.2 against 6.9%, also for obesity with a BMI ≥ 25 41% against 14.5 and 53.0% versus 9.5% for dyslipidemia. Cardiovascular diseases (stroke, MI, PAD and HF) is “known” in 10% of the population screened. PAD, defined by an ABI lower than 0.9, affects 7.7% of our population. The epidemiological transition is a reality even in the most remote regions of Algeria where unfortunately the management of cardiovascular pathologies appears to be the most rudimentary.