Final answer:
Diabetes and atherosclerosis are the primary causes of peripheral artery disease (PAD), which is a common type of peripheral vascular disease, with smoking being the main risk factor.
Step-by-step explanation:
The leading causes of peripheral vascular disease, specifically peripheral artery disease (PAD), are primarily due to atherosclerosis, which may be caused by a combination of risk factors. These risk factors include smoking, diabetes mellitus, high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, lack of exercise, obesity, and poor diet. Among these, smoking is the main risk factor for PAD. Diabetes is another significant risk factor, as it can lead to inflammation and injury of the lining of arteries, promoting atherosclerosis, which narrows the arteries and can cause symptoms like intermittent leg pain when walking (intermittent claudication). Therefore, based on the provided statistics and information, the leading causes of peripheral vascular disease, particularly PAD, are diabetes and atherosclerosis rather than cancer or trauma.