Abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) and ankle-brachial index (ABI) predict health care costs and utilization in older men, independent of prevalent clinical cardiovascular disease and each other.

ABSTRACT:

Background and aims

Abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) and low ankle-brachial index (ABI) are markers of multisite atherosclerosis. We sought to estimate their associations in older men with health care costs and utilization adjusted for each other, and after accounting for CVD risk factors and prevalent CVD diagnoses.

Methods

This was an observational cohort study of 2393 community-dwelling men (mean age 73.6 years) enrolled in the Osteoporotic Fractures in Men (MrOS) study and U.S. Medicare Fee for Service (FFS). AAC was scored on baseline lateral lumbar spine X-rays using a 24-point scale. ABI was measured as the lowest ratio of arm to right or left ankle blood pressure. Health care costs, hospital stays, and SNF stays were identified from Medicare FFS claims over 36 mo

SUBMITTER: Schousboe JT 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7026763 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature