Objectives

To determine the prevalence of asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis (ACAS) in patients with peripheral vascular disease (PVD).

Methods

Literature search was carried out through Pubmed, Medline and Cochrane library. Prospective studies published on prevalence of significant carotid stenosis in patients with PVD and used a duplex scan for screenings were included.

Results

Nineteen studies with a total of 4573 patients were included. A prevalence of 28% (fixed effect model) and 25% (random effect model) was seen for >50% stenosis, and 14% (in both fixed and random effect models) for 70% stenosis. Significant statistical heterogeneity existed between studies (I² = 82.7%, >50% group) (I² = 77.5%, >70% group). Larger studies revealed a higher prevalence of carotid stenosis.

Conclusion

High prevalence of ACAS exists in patients with PVD. A large multi centre prospective study may help to combat heterogeneity and identify subgroups of PVD patients with higher prevalence.

Clinicians who believe in the benefits of carotid endarterectomy for asymptomatic carotid stenosis would gain a greater yield by targeting this group for routine screening rather than a healthy population.

Background

The potential for an expanded HIV epidemic in Papua New Guinea (PNG) demands an effective, evidence-based and locally-appropriate national response. As sexually transmitted infections (STIs) may be important co-factors in HIV transmission nationally, it is timely to conduct a systematic review of STI prevalences to inform national policy on sexual health and HIV/STI prevention.

Methodology/Principal Findings

We undertook a systematic review and meta-analysis of HIV and STI prevalences in PNG, reported in peer-reviewed and non-peer-reviewed publications for the period 1950–2010. Prevalence estimates were stratified by study site (community or clinic-based), geographic area and socio-demographic characteristics. The search strategy identified 105 reports, of which 25 studies (10 community-based; 10 clinic-based; and 5 among self-identified female sex workers) reported STI prevalences and were included in the systematic review. High prevalences of chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis and trichomonas were reported in all settings, particularly among female sex workers, where pooled estimates of 26.1%, 33.6%, 33.1% and 39.3% respectively were observed. Pooled HIV prevalence in community-based studies was 1.8% (95% CI:1.2–2.4) in men; 2.6% (95% CI:1.7–3.5) in women; and 11.8% (95% CI:5.8–17.7) among female sex workers.

Conclusions/Significance

The epidemiology of STIs and HIV in PNG shows considerable heterogeneity by geographical setting and sexual risk group. Prevalences from community-based studies in PNG were higher than in many other countries in the Asia-Pacific. A renewed focus on national STI/HIV surveillance priorities and systems for routine and periodic data collection will be essential to building effective culturally-relevant behavioural and biomedical STI/HIV prevention programs in PNG.