Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a common vascular complication of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), influenced by inflammation and metabolic dysfunction. The ankle–brachial index (ABI) is a simple tool for detecting PAD, while high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) indicates systemic inflammation. Adiponectin, an anti-inflammatory adipocytokine, has been investigated for its vascular relevance, though evidence of its association with PAD in T2DM remains inconsistent.

This study compared plasma adiponectin levels among T2DM patients with and without PAD and healthy controls, and examined their associations with HbA1c, hs-CRP and ABI.

This cross-sectional study included 72 participants: 30 healthy controls and 42 individuals with T2DM, grouped by ABI into normal and low ABI categories (ABI < 0.9). Plasma adiponectin, HbA1c, hs-CRP, fasting glucose and urine albumin were measured. ABI was assessed using continuous-wave Doppler. Analyses included one-way ANOVA with post-hoc testing, Chi-square tests and Pearson’s correlation.

BMI, blood pressure, and adiponectin levels did not differ significantly across groups (p = 0.131). Significant differences were noted in HbA1c, hs-CRP, urine albumin, and ABI, with the low ABI group showing poorer glycemic control and higher inflammation. Adiponectin showed no significant correlations with age, BMI, HbA1c, ABI, or hs-CRP. The only significant association was a moderate negative correlation with urine albumin in the low ABI group (r = –0.651 p = 0.030).

Adiponectin levels did not differ significantly between groups and showed only non-significant trends. Larger, adequately powered studies assessing adiponectin isoforms and inflammatory markers are needed to clarify its role in diabetic PAD.