Background:The risk of lower extremity arterial disease (LEAD) is increased in diabetic patients.LEAD in diabetic patients occurs earlier and is often more severe and diffuse;however,it is largely underdiagnosed and untreated.The purposes of this study were to investigate and analyze LEAD situation of hospitalized elderly type 2 diabetic patients.Methods:The ankle-brachial index (ABI) was used to screen LEAD in hospitalized elderly type 2 diabetic patients.The patients were divided into 5 groups based on the screening results:non-LEAD group and LEAD group;the LEAD group was divided into mild stenosis group,moderate stenosis group,and severe stenosis group.Results:The percentage of patients who had LEAD was 43％.Significant difference in age,diabetes duration,peak velocity,microalbuminuria,and vibratory sensory neuropathy was observed between patients with and without LEAD;regression analysis showed that urinary albumin and vibratory sensory neuropathy were independent risk factors for LEAD.Significant difference in age,body mass index (BMI),peak velocity,urinary albumin,and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) was observed between mild stenosis group,moderate stenosis group,and severe stenosis group;regression analysis showed that urinary albumin,BMI,and HDL-C were independent risk factors for accelerating vascular stenosis.Conclusions:The incidence of LEAD in hospitalized elderly type 2 diabetic patients is high;age,diabetes duration,peak velocity,BMI,urinary microalbumin,vibratory sensory neuropathy,and HDL-C are the maior risk factors for LEAD.Active control of risk factors is helpful to reduce or delay LEAD.