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Characterising atherothrombosis in Hong Kong:
results of the Hong Kong data from a global atherothrombosis epidemiological
survey
MW Tsang, CL Chu, YW Kam,
KH Kwong, CK Lam, SY Ngan, YK Yu
Diabetes Ambulatory Care Centre, Department of Medicine and Geriatrics,
United Christian Hospital, 130 Hip Wo Street, Kwun Tong, Hong Kong
OBJECTIVES. 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.
DESIGN. Local participation in an international prevalence study.
SETTING. Five centres in Hong Kong.
PARTICIPANTS. 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).
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES. 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.
Hong Kong Med J 2005;11:36-41
Key words: Arteriosclerosis; Cardiovascular diseases;
Epidemiologic factors; Hong Kong
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