In a multivariate logistic regression model, including risk factors associated with atherosclerosis, i.e., age, sex, diabetes duration, smoking, retinopathy, body mass index (BMI), heart rate variability, vibration threshold and NT-proBNP, age (OR [CI] 1.14 [1.06-1.22]), sex (male, 4.31 [1.60-11.88]) and diabetes duration (1.07 [1.00-1.14]) remained independent predictors of atherosclerosis. This evidence concerns the gene NPPB and atherosclerosis.