The proinflammatory cytokines, like interleukine-1 (IL-1) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), have been suggested to play a role in the development of atherosclerotic conditions, e.g. peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD). Several genetic polymorphisms were described within the cluster of the IL-1 genes. The allelic variant C+3953T of the interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) gene correlated with the cytokine level in vitro. The aim of this study was to estimate frequency of IL-1beta +3953 polymorphism in the Polish population and to test for its association with PAOD. We genotyped IL-1beta gene in 115 PAOD patients and 153 healthy controls. Genotypes distribution and allelic frequencies of C+3953T polymorphism did not differ between PAOD and controls. Thus, no association was observed between functional IL-1beta polymorphism and PAOD in our study. Frequency of the variant +3953T allele in Polish subjects (0.258) was similar to this found in other populations.