What question did this study set out to answer?

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of screening for peripheral arterial disease (PAD) in adults with diabetes aged 50 and older using the ankle brachial index (ABI).

June 7, 2026

12-PUB: Screening for Peripheral Arterial Disease in Diabetes Using the Ankle-Brachial Index

Key Points

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of screening for peripheral arterial disease (PAD) in adults with diabetes aged 50 and older using the ankle brachial index (ABI).
Adults aged ≥50 years visiting a podiatry clinic were offered ABI testing over 13 months.
Data collected included demographics, BMI, diabetes type, HbA1c, smoking history, and ABI results.
The results determined the prevalence of PAD among those screened.
Of 980 eligible adults, 360 (36.7%) were screened, with 118 (32.8%) showing abnormal ABI results.
Among those screened, 40 (11.1%) were confirmed to have PAD while 78 (21.7%) had indeterminate results.
PAD was more common in individuals with longer duration of diabetes and tobacco use.

Abstract

Introduction and Objective: Noninvasive arterial screening is recommended for adults with diabetes age ≥50 years or with any signs of Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) at any age. Ankle Brachial Index (ABI) was used to screen adults ≥50 years of age in a Podiatry clinic embedded in an adult diabetes center. Methods: Adults ages ≥50 years seen by podiatry were offered ABI testing over 13 months (10/2024-11/2025). Data collected from the EMR included demographics, BMI, diabetes type and date of diagnosis, HbA1c, smoking history, ABI results and referrals to vascular surgery. Results: Of 980 eligible adults seen, 360 (36.7%) were screened, 235 (24.0%) were excluded (inadequate cuff size (n=87), pain/edema/unable to lay flat (n=37), known vascular disease(n=70), wheelchair-bound (n=2), shunt/fistula present (n=12), plastic allergy (n=1), device malfunction (n=5), wound present (n=9), amputation(n=6), late to appointment (n=6)). Of those screened 118 (32.8%) had abnormal ABI results, of whom 40 (11.1%) had evidence of PAD and 78 (21.7%) had results that were indeterminate. Of the 77 evaluated by vascular surgery, 20 (26.0%) were found to have PAD. PAD (vs. no PAD) was more common in those with longer duration of diabetes (mean: 27 vs. 22 years), older age (mean: 73 vs. 72 years) and tobacco use (70.0% (14) vs. 50.9% (29)). Conclusion: Screening for PAD in adults with diabetes ≥50 years of age in a podiatry clinic using ABI testing resulted in evidence for PAD in 11.1% of those screened; 21.7% had indeterminate results. The cost-effectiveness of this approach requires further study. Disclosure J. Owusu-Barnie: None. R. Lundi: None. F. Logan: None. J. Erardi: None. B.A. Wells: None. J. Reis: None. R. Weinstock: Research Support; Current; Amgen Inc., Eli Lilly and Company, JDRF, Diasome, DEKA Research and Development, Tandem Diabetes Care, Inc. Research Support; Ended; Kowa Research Institute, Inc. Research Support; Current; National Institutes of Health. Research Support; Ended; Insulet Corporation. Research Support; Current; T1D Exchange.

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