Introduction: Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) is a significant marker of cardiovascular disease and is prevalent but underdiagnosed. Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI) is the recommended screening test for PAD. However, not all clinics have a Doppler ultrasound. ABI by palpation offers a more feasible alternative. Objective: This study aims to determine the validity of ABI measurement by palpation method in the screening of PAD. Methodology: This prospective validation study utilized a cross-sectional analytic design. Three physicians performed the ABI by palpation method and their result was compared to the Doppler ABI. The accuracy indices for validation was computed per physician conducting the ABI by palpation and also as an average of all 3 palpation method readings. During the course of sampling, there were no patients with severe PAD found during the prospective period. Results: The accuracy of Ankle Brachial Index using Palpation method yielded the following ranges, sensitivity between 63.16 % - 73.68%, specificity of 94.06% - 98.02%, PPV within 85.37% - 95.45%, and NPV within 80.73% - 86.84% in predicting PAD. The accuracy indices were clinically acceptable. Meanwhile, the raters’ usage of Ankle Brachial Index using Palpation method demonstrated a substantial agreement with ABI by Doppler Method performed by the angiologist (Cohen Kappa >0.60). Conclusion The ABI by palpation is a good screening tool for PAD, but the person performing it must be adequately trained to do the procedure. The procedure is affordable and convenient, and should be done routinely during clinic visits in the physical examination of patients with known risk factors for PAD.
Diabetes Mellitus ; Ankle Brachial Index ; Palpation

Objective: This study aims to determine the prevalence of sexual dysfunction among premenopausal Filipino women with type 2 diabetes mellitus at the outpatient department of a tertiary hospital through the use of the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and identify factors that could be associated with sexual dysfunction. Methodology: Seventy-five women with type 2 diabetes mellitus, aged 38 to 49 years old, received the FSFI questionnaire. Their age, history of hypertension, smoking habit, alcohol intake, body mass index, waist circumference, fasting blood sugar, HbA1c, creatinine, lipid profile, albuminuria or proteinuria, presence of microvascular complications such as diabetic retinopathy, neuropathy and nephropathy and their association with sexual dysfunction was determined. Results: Seventy-two percent of the participants have sexual dysfunction scoring lowest in the lubrication, orgasm and pain domains. Age (p=0.016), a high body mass index (p=0.001), a fasting blood sugar above 100 mg/dl (p=0.006) and the presence of microvascular complications of diabetes mellitus namely, retinopathy (p=0.046) nephropathy (p=0.004) and neuropathy (p=0.001) were associated with sexual dysfunction. Conclusion The prevalence of sexual dysfunction is high among premenopausal Filipino women with type 2 diabetes mellitus, and is associated with age, a high body mass index, an uncontrolled fasting blood sugar and the presence of microvascular complications of diabetes mellitus.
Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; Premenopause ; Diabetic Neuropathies ; Diabetic retinopathy ; Diabetic Nephropathies