In the validation analysis, the findings revealed a causal association between PAD and five inflammatory proteins: Cystatin D levels (OR, 1.00069; 95% CI, 1.000-1.001; P=0.03), C-X-C motif chemokine 11 levels (OR, 1.002; 95% CI, 1.001-1.004; P=0.00004 < 0.001), Interleukin-8 levels (OR, 0.997; 95% CI, 0.995-0.999; P=0.032), Matrix metalloproteinase-10 levels (OR, 0.999; 95% CI, 0.998-0.999; P=0.032) and Oncostatin-M levels (OR, 1.002; 95% CI, 1.000-1.003; P=0.018). The gene discussed is CST5; the disease is peripheral arterial disease.