Association Between Abo Blood Group, Peripheral Artery Disease Lesion Severity, and Coronary Artery Disease Coexistence

Abstract

Background: This study aims to investigate the relationship between ABO blood groups and the severity of peripheral artery disease (PAD) lesions, the coexistence of coronary artery disease (CAD) with PAD, and to identify which blood groups may be more predisposed to these conditions. Methods: This study, which has a single-center and retrospective design, includes 305 patients diagnosed with peripheral artery disease (PAD) between 2015 and 2021. The patients were selected from those with at least 50% stenosis detected by computed tomography (CT) angiography. The severity of PAD lesions was evaluated according to the TransAtlantic Inter-Society Consensus (TASC-II) classification, and the presence of CAD was determined by simultaneous conventional coronary angiography. Demographic data, comorbidities, and laboratory results were collected, and statistical analyses were performed using chi-square tests, logistic regression, and t-tests. All of these patients were divided into 2 groups based on their ABO blood types: O and non-O blood groups. Results: This study demonstrates a significant relationship between blood group classification and both the severity of PAD and the prevalence of CAD. Patients with non-O blood groups exhibited a higher likelihood of having severe PAD lesions (TASC-C and TASC-D) compared to those with O blood groups, who more frequently had milder lesions (TASC-A and TASC-B) (P < 0.001). The prevalence of CAD was also significantly higher among patients with non-O blood groups than those with the O blood group (54.4% vs. 36.4%; P = 0.003). In the logistic regression analysis, non-O blood groups, alongside age, hypertension (HT), and chronic kidney disease (CKD), emerged as independent predictors of severe PAD (P < 0.001 for non-O blood groups). Similarly, older age and non-O blood group status were identified as significant independent predictors of CAD (P = 0.004). These findings suggest that blood group classification, particularly non-O groups, may influence the severity and coexistence of PAD and CAD. Conclusion: Our study reveals a significant association between ABO blood groups and both the severity of PAD and the association of CAD, and shows that non-O blood groups are linked to more severe forms of these conditions. These findings highlight the potential role of ABO blood groups in cardiovascular risk stratification, suggesting a need for further research to confirm these associations and understand their clinical implications.