[Characteristics of diabetic macroangiopathy of the lower extremities]

Macroangiopathy of the lower extremities is one of the most frequent complications of diabetes and has a very adverse impact on the quality of life of the patients. It affects approximately as much as half the diabetics with the duration of the disease for more than 15 years. It is encountered in two forms. The first type of affection--obliterating atherosclerosis--reminds of affections of the arteries of the lower extremities in the non-diabetic population, although some differences in the site of affection, morphology of sclerotic changes as well as the spectrum of risk factors were found, when compared with obliterating atherosclerosis in non-diabetics. Risk factors of this form of macroangiopathy include cholesterol, triacylglycerols, reduced values of HDL-cholesterol, hypertension, fibrinogen, smoking and apparently also albuminuria. The second form of macroangiopathy--mediocalcinosis--is not associated with the mentioned risk factors of atherosclerosis but is probably the consequence of diabetic neuropathy. Contrary to atherosclerosis, it does not lead to the development of obliteration but has also an adverse effect on the function of blood vessels. Its incidence correlates with the duration and compensation of diabetes as well as deteriorated perception of vibrations. With regard to the high incidence of gangrenes requiring amputation, it seems rational to influence in diabetics all known risk factors of macroangiopathy although convincing results of long-term intervention studies are still lacking.