title: The prevalence of polyvascular disease in patients referred for peripheral arterial disease.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To objectively assess the presence of polyvascular disease in patients with peripheral arterial disease and its relation to inflammation and clinical risk factors.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 431 vascular surgery patients (mean age 68 years, men 77%) with atherosclerotic disease were enrolled. The presence of atherosclerosis was assessed using ultrasonography. Affected territories were defined as: (1) carotid, stenosis of common or internal carotid artery of >or=50%, (2) cardiac, left ventricular wall motion abnormalities, (3) abdominal aorta, diameter >or=30 mm and (4) lower limb, ankle-brachial pressure index <0.9. Cardiovascular risk factors and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels were noted in all.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One vascular territory was affected in 29% of the patients, whereas polyvascular disease was found in 71%: two affected territories in 45%, three in 23% and four in 3% of patients. Levels of hs-CRP increased with the number of affected vascular territories (p<0.001). Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed age >or=70 years, male gender, body mass index (BMI)>or=25 kg m(-2), and hs-CRP to be independently associated with polyvascular disease.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Polyvascular disease is a common condition in patients who have undergone vascular surgery. The level of systemic inflammation, reflected by hs-CRP levels, is moderately associated with the extent of polyvascular disease.
authors: Department of Vascular Surgery, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Vidakovic
authors: O
authors: O
authors: Schouten
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Kuiper
authors: S E
authors: SE
authors: Hoeks
authors: W-J
authors: WJ
authors: Flu
authors: J P
authors: JP
authors: van Kuijk
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Goei
authors: H J M
authors: HJ
authors: Verhagen
authors: A N
authors: AN
authors: Neskovic
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Poldermans
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001012:Aorta, Abdominal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D001018:Aortic Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D016893:Carotid Stenosis / Q000097:blood / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000097:blood / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology*; D025401:Echocardiography, Stress; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000097:blood / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016491:Peripheral Vascular Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D015995:Prevalence; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler; D015854:Up-Regulation
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D002097:C-Reactive Protein