ATHEROSCLEROTIC PERIPHERAL ARTERIAL-DISEASE IN BLACKS - AN ESTABLISHED PROBLEM

  • 1 January 1985
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 67  (20) , 797-801
Abstract
Records of black (predominantly Zulu), Indian and white patients admitted to hospital for elective evaluation of chronic peripheral arterial disease over a 2-yr interval were examined. The commonest lesion encountered in all 3 groups was atherosclerosis, although arteritis occurred more frequently in blacks. While atherosclerotic occlusive disease of the lower extremities showed minor differences in distribution in the 3 groups, aneurysmal disease of the aorta was more frequent in the white than Indian and black groups. Cerebrovascular occlusive disease was also less prevalent among blacks. Age and sex distribution was similar. In a subset of patients, matched for age, with aorto-iliac occlusive disease blacks had a statistically significantly lower incidence of ischemic heart disease, cerebrovascular disease and hypertension than whites or Indians; and smoked less. Diabetes had a significantly higher incidence in Indians. Within the same group of patients, blacks tended to present at a more advanced stage in the natural history of the disease. Early and medium-term results of aortobifemoral bypass are not significantly different from those in whites or Indians. Atherosclerosis is a well-established clinical problem in the black population in Natal [South Africa].

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