The association between ankle−brachial index and asymptomatic cranial-carotid stenosis: a population-based, cross-sectional study of 5440 Han Chinese.

Background and purpose Routine screening for asymptomatic cranial-carotid stenosis ( ACCS) is controversial and recommendation in clinical practice is vague. The ankle−brachial index ( ABI) is reported as a predictor for cardiovascular disease. However, there is a scarcity of data about the association between abnormal ABI and ACCS. A population-based cross-sectional study was conducted to explore the relationship between ABI and ACCS. Methods A sample of 5440 Chinese adults aged 40-94 years old was recruited from 2010 to 2011. The ABI was measured using a portable Doppler device and ACCS was evaluated by bilateral carotid duplex ultrasound and portable examination devices. A logistic regression model was used to analyse the association between ABI and ACCS after adjusting for potential confounding factors. Results A low ABI was associated with ACCS [odds ratio ( OR) 1.95, 95% confidence interval ( CI) 1.42-2.67] after adjusting for potential confounders. When the data were stratified by age and sex, the correlation remained statistically significant in the male ( OR 2.32, 95% CI 1.60-3.37) and elderly ( OR 3.07, 95% CI 1.97-4.78) subgroups compared to the female ( OR 1.26, 95% CI 0.67-2.39) and middle-aged groups ( OR 1.27, 95% CI 0.77-2.12), respectively. Conclusion This study demonstrated that low ABI is a significant risk factor for ACCS in male and elderly Chinese adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]