The objective of this study was to investigate the association between diabetes mellitus (DM) and the prevalence of intermittent claudication (IC). Between 1995 and 1997, all residents aged 20 years or older in Nord-Trøndelag County, Norway were mailed an invitation to participate in a health survey (HUNT 2). A total of 19,712 participants aged 40-69 years old completed and returned the questionnaire included with the invitation. They also attended an examination where brachial blood pressure was measured and non-fasting venous blood was collected. The venous blood sample was subsequently analysed for concentrations of blood lipids. Responses to 12 questions on IC were previously tested against ankle blood pressure measurements (ABPI