Peripheral Arterial Disease among Patient Undergoing Maintenance Hemodialysis in Dakar (Senegal)

Background: Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is common in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). It is a surrogate marker of generalized atherosclerosis. In sub-Saharan Africa, PAD remains understudied in CKD. Ankle-brachial index (ABI) is a non-invasive and cost-effective tool to diagnose PAD. Objectives: Our aim was to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors for PAD in hemodialysis patients. Patients and Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study from July 1 to December 31, 2012 in the department of Nephrology of the University Hospital Aristide le Dantec of Dakar. All consenting patients, aged above 18 years, on hemodialysis for at least 6 months were included. ABI measurements were performed using a handled pulse doppler. PAD was defined as an ABI of \u003c0.9 or the history of surgical revascularization and/or amputation due to vascular disease. The patients were divided into two groups according to the presence or not of PAD. Standard blood tests and anthropometrical parameters were recorded. Results: A total of 53 patients with a mean age of 49.15 ± 15.18 were included. The sex ratio was 0.70. Hypertension (83.01%), low HDL-cholesterol (26.41%) and cigarette smoking (20.75%) were the main cardiovascular risk factors. Prevalence of PAD was 47.16%. Among patients with PAD, 52% had no suggestive symptoms. Lower pre-dialysis (p = 0.0384) and post-dialysis (p = 0.0447) diastolic blood pressure (BP) were significantly associated with PAD. The conventional risk factors (tobacco consumption, diabetes, alcohol consumption, dyslipidemia, hypertension, age), iPTH and CRP levels were not correlated with PAD. Conclusion: PAD is common among patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis in Senegal. Early diagnosis and management of PAD should be routinely performed in CKD patients.