The accuracy of ankle-brachial index determination using the stethoscope to screen for peripheral arterial disease among adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus in Iloilo City
- Author:
Mechelle B. Salazar
1
;
Mechelle B. Salazar
2
Author Information
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords: Diagnostic accuracy
- MeSH: Peripheral arterial disease; Ankle-brachial index; Stethoscope; Doppler ultrasound; Type 2 diabetes mellitus
- From: Health Sciences Journal 2026;15(1):10-15
- CountryPhilippines
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Introduction:Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a common macrovascular complication of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and is associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The ankle-brachial index (ABI) is a simple, non-invasive method for detecting PAD; however, Doppler devices are not always available in primary care and resource-limited settings. This study aimed to determine the diagnostic accuracy of ABI measurement using a stethoscope compared with the Doppler method among adults with T2DM.
Methods:A diagnostic accuracy study was conducted among 200 adults with T2DM recruited through convenience sampling from a private outpatient clinic in Iloilo City. ABI measurements were obtained using both the stethoscope and Doppler methods. An ABI of ≤0.90 was considered indicative of PAD. Diagnostic accuracy measures, including sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), overall accuracy, and agreement, were calculated.
Results:The prevalence of PAD was 30.5% using the stethoscope method and 35.0% using the Doppler method. Compared with Doppler ABI, the stethoscope method demonstrated an overall accuracy of 94.5%, sensitivity of 85.7%, specificity of 99.2%, PPV of 98.4%, and NPV of 92.8%. Agreement between the two methods was excellent (Cohen’s κ = 0.88, p < 0.001).
Conclusion:Stethoscope-based ABI determination demonstrated high diagnostic accuracy and excellent agreement with Doppler ABI. Given its low cost, accessibility, and non-invasive nature, it may serve as a practical screening tool for PAD among adults with T2DM, particularly in primary care and resource-limited settings where Doppler devices are unavailable - Full text:2026072713504405957HSJ vol.15 no.1 - 10-15.pdf
