Abstract: Objective The purpose of the study was to investigate the prevalence of abnormal ABI in patients with cardiovascular risk factors and the relationship between abnormal ABI and the various cardiovascular risk factors.Methods This study was performed through cross-sectional survey.Patients with cardiovascular risk factors were enrolled from September 2004 to December 2004 consecutively.ABI was measured and data were analyzed to investigate the prevalence of abnormal ABI both in men and women,and to identify the risk factors.Results(1 008) patients were enrolled(559 men and 449 women ranging from 31 to 99 years old).The prevalence of abnormal ABI was 31.3% in men and 31.4% in women.Abnormal ABI was positively correlated with age,diabetes mellitus and hypercholesterolemia in men,and was positively correlated with age,diabetes mellitus and smoking in women.Conclusion The prevalence of abnormal ABI in patients with cardiovascular risk factors is high.It is necessary for clinicians to pay more attention to these patients.

Key words: ankle-brachial index, cardiovascular disease, risk factors