Characterising atherothrombosis in Hong Kong: results of the Hong Kong data from a global atherothrombosis epidemiological survey.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the characteristics of patients in Hong Kong with or at risk of atherothrombosis, to determine the proportion of symptomatic patients with more than one vascular bed affected, and to assess the relationship between ankle brachial index and disease severity.


METHODS
Local participation in an international prevalence study.


METHODS
Five centres in Hong Kong.


METHODS
A total of 210 subjects were recruited (105 women and 105 men). Patients were divided into the symptomatic group (with current or previous atherothrombotic symptoms, n=101) and at-risk group (with no current or previous symptoms, but aged over 55 years with at least two specified risk factors, n=109).


METHODS
Patient characteristics were described, including the number of arterial beds affected, ankle brachial index, presence of risk factors, and medications taken.


RESULTS
Of the symptomatic patients, 30% had more than one arterial bed involved. A total of 55.4% of the symptomatic group and 18.4% of the at-risk group had abnormal ankle brachial index values. Lower ankle brachial indices were associated with a greater number of affected arterial beds. Diabetes mellitus and hypertension were the most prevalent risk factors in the at-risk group. Symptomatic patients were commonly treated with antihypertensive and antiplatelet agents, whereas at-risk patients were mostly treated with antihypertensive and antidiabetic agents. Only 20% of at-risk patients were taking antiplatelet agents.


CONCLUSIONS
Ankle brachial index is a useful tool for predicting those at risk of atherothrombosis. This simple measurement can be used as part of the screening process in the general practice. The role of antiplatelet agents in primary prevention of atherothrombotic events in at-risk patients deserves further attention.
Tsang
M W
MW
Diabetes Ambulatory Care Centre, Department of Medicine and Geriatrics, United Christian Hospital, Kwun Tong, Hong Kong. mwtsang@ha.org.hk
Chu
C L
CL
Kam
Y W
YW
Kwong
K H
KH
Lam
C K
CK
Ngan
S Y
SY
Yu
Y K
YK
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000842:Ankle / Q000098:blood supply; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D001916:Brachial Artery / Q000502:physiology; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006723:Hong Kong / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000453:epidemiology; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012307:Risk Factors
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors