These subjects, together with 200 high risk individuals in the UK from the RCT will form the cohort of 600 subjects to enable the study of the relationship between markers of sub-clinical atherosclerosis (cIMT, endothelial function and arterial stiffness), and albumin excretion and its modification by cardiovascular risk factors, renal function and diabetes control. The gene discussed is ALB; the disease is atherosclerosis.