Univariate Cox-regression analysis identified the following predictors of CV mortality: age (HR = 11.5, 95% CI 3.5 to 38, P < 0.001), duration of diabetes (HR = 7.8, 95% CI 3 to 20, P < 0.001), mean arterial blood pressure (HR = 3.6, 95% CI 1.6 to 8.1, P = 0.002), serum creatinine (HR = 3.3, 95% CI 1.5 to 7.3, P = 0.004), eGFR (HR = 9.3, 95% CI 3.3 to 27.0, P < 0.001), urinary albumin excretion (HR = 2.9, 95% CI 1.7 to 5.0, P < 0.001) and urinary IgM excretion (HR = 4.6, 95% CI 2.0 to 10.7, P < 0.001). The gene discussed is CD40LG; the disease is diabetes mellitus.