Which of the following conditions are macrovascular complications of diabetes mellitus?

The correct answer is peripheral vascular disease. Macrovascular complications of diabetes mellitus primarily involve large blood vessels and include conditions that typically affect the heart and the circulation to the limbs. Peripheral vascular disease is a hallmark macrovascular complication characterized by narrowed blood vessels that supply blood to the legs and feet, leading to reduced blood flow, which can result in pain and other issues.

Coronary artery disease, although not selected as the answer, is also a macrovascular complication of diabetes that affects the coronary arteries. It is essential to recognize that both peripheral vascular disease and coronary artery disease arise due to atherogenesis, which is the formation of plaque in the arterial walls, a process that is expedited in individuals with diabetes due to factors like hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, and hypertension.

Neuropathy and retinopathy, on the other hand, are microvascular complications of diabetes. Neuropathy refers to nerve damage resulting from prolonged high blood sugar levels, while retinopathy involves damage to the small blood vessels in the retina, leading to vision problems. Both conditions emerge from issues within small blood vessels rather than large ones, distinguishing them clearly from macrovascular complications like peripheral vascular disease and coronary artery disease.