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Objectives: The plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-I) and lipoprotein(a) are considered as important fibrinolysis inhibitors. We evaluated PAI-1 and Lp(a) concentrations in Korean non-insulin- dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) patients with or without peripheral vascular disorder. Methods: By using National Diabetes Data Group (NDDG) criteria as a diabetes mellitus diagnostic criteria, a total of 127 Korean NIDDM patients were seleeted. The ankle brachial index was measured by segrnental volume plethysmography to diagnose peripheral vascular disease. We also examined clinical and biochemical parameters in NIDDM patients. Results: The duration of diabetes, systolic and diastolic pressures was significantly higher in diabetic patients with peripheral vascular disease (Group 2) than in diabetic patients without peripheal vascular disease (Group 1). The 24 hour urine microalbumin and PAI-1 levels in Group 2 were also significantly higher and the HDL-cholesterol level was lower than in Group 1. There were significant correlations between the plasma level of PAI-1 and BMI (r=0.466, p=0,007) or C-peptide level(r=0.517, p=0.012). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that Lp(a) and PAI-1 are independent risk factors for peripheral vascular disease. Conclusion: In the light of these results, it seems reasonable to suggest that high levels of PAI-1 and Lp(a) in NlDDM patients may play a role in the pathogenesis of peripheral vascular disease.