In a multiple regression model adjusting for the significant covariates (UACR, age, HOMA-IR, HbA1c, triglycerides, systolic blood pressure, duration of diabetes, total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol), albuminuria was still found to be significantly associated with YKL-40 levels (r = 0,32, p = 0.006). This evidence concerns the gene CHI3L1 and diabetes mellitus.