[Prevalence of arterial calcification and related risk factors. The multicenter population-based ARTPER study].
OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence of arterial calcification (ankle-brachial index ≥1.4) and its related factors among the general population aged >49 years.


METHODS
We performed a cross-sectional study of 3,786 people randomly selected from 28 centers. To assess the factors associated with arterial calcification using a multivariate logistic model, the whole sample was used to compute prevalence, excluding persons with peripheral arterial disease (ankle-brachial index <0.9).


RESULTS
Arterial calcification was found in 235 persons (prevalence: 6.2%; 95% CI: 5.6-7.0), and was twice as frequent in men as in women. Patients with arterial calcification were older, had more previous cardiovascular events, diabetes and obesity, and were less able to perform physical activity than persons with a healthy ankle-brachial index.


CONCLUSIONS
We recommend measurement of the ankle-brachial index in primary care centers to detect arterial calcification among men, persons with diabetes, overweight, obesity or difficulty in performing physical activity, and in those with left ventricular hypertrophy.
Centro de Salud Riu Nord-Riu Sud, Institut Català de la Salut, Santa Coloma de Gramenet, Barcelona, España.
Maria Teresa
MT
Alzamora
Rosa
R
Forés
Pere
P
Torán
Guillem
G
Pera
José Miguel
JM
Baena-Díez
Begoña
B
López
María Victoria
MV
Sierra
Amelia
A
Fabregat
D000368:Aged; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D058729:Peripheral Arterial Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D061205:Vascular Calcification / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*