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.