Introduction:

The ankle-brachial index at rest is a recommended method for diagnosing peripheral arterial disease at the primary care level because it is a sensitive, specific, simple, rapid, and harmless test.

Objective:

To determine the presence of peripheral arterial disease in adult patients at a primary care centre in Asunción, Paraguay, in 2025.

Methodology:

An observational, descriptive, cross-sectional design was used. Adult men and women from the San Cayetano family health unit who agreed to participate in the study were included. The sample was non-probabilistic, consisting of consecutive cases. Anthropometric and clinical variables were measured. Blood pressure was measured in all four limbs using an oscillometric sphygmomanometer and a portable Doppler ultrasound device.

Results: Sixty-six patients were included in the study, 42 (63.64%) women and 24 (36.36%) men. The mean age was 57 ± 15 years. The mean BMI was 33.54 ± 8.39 kg/m². The most common comorbidities were high blood pressure (68.85%), sedentary lifestyle (46.55%), and diabetes mellitus (30%). An ankle-brachial index of less than 0.9 allowed the detection of right peripheral artery disease in 21 subjects (31.82%) and left peripheral artery disease in 22 (33.33). Using the Fontaine scale, it was found that most of those affected were asymptomatic, and that limb claudication was reported by only 14%.

Conclusion:

The ankle-brachial index detected right peripheral artery disease in 31.82% and left peripheral artery disease in 33.33% of adult subjects at a primary care centre. The majority of those affected did not report limb claudication.

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