Clinical ultrasound correlation of peripheral arterial disease of the lower limbs in type 2 diabetics

Abstract

Introduction: Peripheral arterial disease in diabetic atherosclerotic patients is usually underdiagnosed, since the majority of the affected population is asymptomatic.

Objective: Correlate the clinical and ultrasonographic signs of peripheral arterial disease of the lower limbs in diabetic atherosclerotic patients.

Methods: A descriptive and prospective study was conducted in a random sample of 209 diabetic patients with peripheral arterial disease, according to the Leriche-Fontaine classification. These underwent Doppler ultrasound. The statistical study was performed by applying the Kappa coefficient.

Results: Peripheral arterial disease predominated in males aged 60 years and over. In 26.32% of the left lower limb in the posterior tibial, the absence of pulse was confirmed. According to the clinical picture, by Leriche-Fontaine classification, the highest incidence was found in stage IIb with 33.97%, followed by stage II with 20.54%; and by ultrasound classification there was a significant reduction in diameter in the left leg in distal arteries, with a Kappa coefficient of 0.927.

Conclusions: There was a strong clinical ultrasound correlation regarding the degree of stenosis in peripheral arterial disease of the diabetic patients studied.