Evaluation of infrared thermography with a portable camera as a diagnostic tool for peripheral arterial disease of the lower limbs compared with color Doppler ultrasonography

INTRODUCTION: We aimed to evaluate whether infrared thermography (IRT) with a portable camera is a useful tool for diagnosing or screening peripheral arterial disease of the lower limbs (PAD-LL) when compared with the traditional method of color Doppler ultrasonography. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study enrolled 90 volunteers: 45 who were diagnosed with PAD-LL (PAD-LL group) and 45 who did not have a diagnosis of PAD-LL (control group). The diagnosis was made using color Doppler ultrasonography, and the results were compared with those of IRT. RESULTS: The IRT-based procedure evaluated in this study had a sensitivity of 97.62% and a specificity of 91.67% for PAD-LL diagnosis compared to color Doppler ultrasonography. The method was limited for diagnosing PAD-LL manifesting above the knees (suprapopliteal PAD-LL). Our results also suggest that the ankle-brachial index is an important predictor of PAD-LL, with a sensitivity of 91.17% and a specificity of 75% at a value of ≤ 0.9. Current or previous smoking habits, higher body mass index, and the presence of diabetes mellitus were significantly elevated in the PAD-LL group. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that IRT is an efficient and low-cost method for screening and diagnosing PAD-LL, particularly infrapopliteal PAD-LL manifesting below the knees. However, further studies are required to establish the validity of this technique.