RISK-FACTORS OF ARTERIOPATHY OF THE LOWER -LIMBS - LIPIDIC AND NON LIPIDIC FACTORS

BACKGROUND: The role of lipoproteins and apolipoproteins as markers of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is not well defined. METHODS: We me asured both lipid and non-lipid risk factors in 51 male patients with angiographically proven PAD and in 56 male control subjects. The indep endent association of risk factors with PAD was evaluated by means of a multiple logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: The levels of choles terol bound to high density lipoprotein (HDLc) and to its subfraction HDL2 were lower, and triglycerides were higher in patients than in con trol subjects (1.0 +/- 0.3 vs 1.2 +/- 0.3, p < 0.003; 0.4 +/- 0.2 vs 0 .5 +/- 0.3, p < 0.03; and 1.8 +/- 1.2 vs 1.3 +/- 0.7, p < 0.02 respect ively), Total cholesterol and LDLc levels were similar in both groups. In the multiple logistic regression analysis that was done with lipid parameters, a statistically significant association of triglycerides (OR = 1.73; CI95% = 1.06-2.80) and HDLc (OR = 0.15; CI95% = 0.05-0.50) with PAD was observed, while HDL subfractions and apolipoproteins wer e not significantly associated. In the multiple logistic regression an alysis that was done with non-lipid parameters, hypertension (OR = 5.3 5; CI95% = 1.86-15.4) and smoking (packs-year) (OR = 1.04; CI95% = 1.0 1-1.06) were the only significatively associated with PAD. When lipid and non-lipid parameters were included in the regression analysis, a s tatistically significant association between hypertension, smoking and HDLc with PAD was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Among lipid risk factors, a low HDLc and high triglycerides, and among non-lipid risk factors hype rtension and smoking, are significatively and independently associated with lower limb arteriopathy.