Diagnostic efficacy of pulse oximetry versus Ankle-Brachial index for peripheral vascular disease in type 2 diabetes.

The Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD) is a debilitating macrovascular complication associated with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) with significant mortality. This remains undiagnosed in the asymptomatic cases due to diabetic neuropathy. Therefore, it is of interest to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of the pulse oximetry against the gold-standard Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI). Data shows a high prevalence of PVD with ABI, whereas the pulse oximetry validated moderate sensitivity but low specificity, limiting its utility as a standalone diagnostic tool. While ABI remains the superior standard for definitive diagnosis, pulse oximetry offers a viable, cost-effective preliminary screening option for high-risk populations in resource-constrained healthcare centers.