Lung function may play a key role in vascular health among adults with type 2 diabetes. This study was presented at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes Congress 2025.

Data from 14,626 participants without baseline peripheral vascular disease were analyzed over a median follow-up of 13.5 years. Lung function was assessed via forced expiratory volume in 1 second, forced vital capacity, and calculated predicted values to identify obstructive or restrictive physiology. The primary outcome included arterial, venous, and other peripheral vascular disease subtypes.

During follow-up, 1,441 incident PVD cases were identified, with 690 arterial events. Per standard deviation decrease in lung function measures, the risk of PVD increased significantly, most prominently for arterial PVD. Restrictive physiology carried the highest risk (HR 1.59), while venous PVD showed no significant associations. Age modified the relationship with venous PVD, with stronger associations in participants aged 60 years or older. These findings suggest that routine lung function assessment may help identify type 2 diabetes patients at elevated risk for arterial PVD, enabling early preventive strategies and targeted interventions.