The role of postexercise measurements in the diagnosis of peripheral arterial disease in HIV-infected patients

Angiology. 2011 Jan;62(1):10-4. doi: 10.1177/0003319710385339.

Abstract

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a marker of atherosclerosis, which is not well studied in the population with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). We prospectively enrolled HIV-infected patients who had normal resting ankle-brachial index (rABI) readings. All participants performed either a treadmill walking test (TT) or pedal plantar flexion test (PFT). Patients were divided into 2 groups according to postexercise changes; PAD and No-PAD group. The 2 groups were compared with regard to established cardiovascular disease risk factors and other HIV infection parameters. Peripheral arterial disease was present in 30 (26.5%) of 113 consecutive HIV-infected patients included in the study. Mean age was 47 ± 10 years. The risk factors studied did not differ significantly among the 2 groups except for male gender, which was significantly associated with PAD (RR: 4.15; CI: 1.6 to 11.1: P < .0008). The prevalence of PAD, diagnosed by significant drop in postexercise ABI and ankle pressure in patients with HIV is high.

MeSH terms

  • Exercise
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / complications*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Peripheral Arterial Disease / diagnosis*
  • Peripheral Arterial Disease / epidemiology
  • Peripheral Arterial Disease / etiology*
  • Prevalence
  • Prospective Studies