Elevated serum VCAM-1 identifies peripheral artery disease in diabetes mellitus

Background: Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD), or peripheral arterial disease, is a prevalent cardiovascular disorder marked by constricted arteries that reduce blood flow to the extremities, primarily the legs. Atherosclerosis is the principal cause, characterized by the accumulation of fatty deposits (plaques) in arterial walls, resulting in diminished oxygen and nutrition supply to tissues. Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a significant risk factor for PAD. Individuals with diabetes exhibit a prevalence of PAD that exceeds twice that of the general population. Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 (VCAM1) was examined for its potential as a biomarker for PAD in diabetic persons. Methods: This case-control research comprised 60 diabetic patients with PAD and 30 age-matched diabetic controls. Serum concentrations of VCAM1 and lipid profiles were assessed via ELISA and automated techniques. Statistical analyses evaluated biomarker levels and assessed diagnosis accuracy using ROC curves.Results: The PAD group demonstrated a significantly higher level of VCAM-1 (219±60.1 vs. 132.4±31.6 ng/mL) in comparison to the control group (p<0.001). ROC analysis exhibited strong diagnostic accuracy for VCAM-1 (AUC = 92%, sensitivity = 90%, specificity = 83%)Conclusion: VCAM-1 serves as a reliable biomarker for the identification of PAD in diabetic individuals, indicating metabolic imbalance, inflammation, and endothelial dysfunction. Their use into clinical practice may improve early diagnosis and risk assessment.