Biomarkers for Diabetic Peripheral Artery Disease: An Integrated Review and Clinical Perspective

Abstract

Type 2 diabetes mellitus and peripheral artery disease are pathophysiologically interlinked through shared mechanisms such as chronic inflammation and endothelial dysfunction, highlighting the imperative to identify common biomarkers for enhancing early detection and risk stratification. A review of PubMed through December 2025 was performed, culminating in the inclusion of 55 original studies. The synthesis revealed significant dysregulation of inflammatory markers including IL-6 and ICAM-1, endothelial and oxidative stress mediators such as TET3 and the PRDX family, along with coagulation markers such as von Willebrand factor and fibrinogen, all correlating with disease severity in comorbid patients. Multi-marker panels, exemplified by the HART PAD score and combined neutrophil-to-HDL ratio with systemic inflammation response index, demonstrated superior predictive accuracy compared to individual biomarkers. Subsequent investigations should prioritise prospective validation and clinical standardisation of these candidate markers. This scoping review offers a novel structured integration of biomarkers across fluid, cellular and functional domains, advocating for an integrated multi-marker strategy to facilitate personalised management in this high-risk population.