Small and large vessel disease in the development of foot lesions in diabetics.

This paper describes studies undertaken to determine the role of vascular disease in the development of foot lesions in diabetics, particularly those with neuropathy. The ratios of ankle/arm and toe/ankle blood pressure were used as indices of large and small vessel disease respectively. Diabetic patients with lesions had evidence of more large and small vessel disease than patients without lesions. Patients with neuropathic lesions had evidence of more small vessel disease than patients without lesions.