Objective: to study the clinical and morphological features of atherosclerotic lesions of the lower limb arteries in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) and compare them with patients without DM. Object and methods of research. The study was conducted on 147 patients with type 2 DM: 85 individuals in the main group, and 62 patients in the control group. A retrospective analysis of the medical histories of 62 patients without type 2 DM was also conducted to study and compare the clinical and morphological characteristics and course of the disease. The research methods included ultrasound duplex scanning, contrast angiography, transcutaneous oximetry, analysis of erythrocyte rigidity, and thermographic examination of the lower limbs. Results. Patients with type 2 DM showed significantly more pronounced damage to the lower limb arteries compared to patients without DM. This group more frequently exhibited trophic ulcers and gangrene. Conclusion. The necessity of a comprehensive approach to the treatment of patients with type 2 DM with atherosclerotic changes, including early diagnosis and individualized therapy selection to improve prognosis.