Coronary atherosclerosis as defined by CCS≥400 was found in 34.9% (68/195) of patients and these patients were older (mean age 63 vs. 57 years, p = 0.0001), more often males (85% vs. 71% p = 0.025), and had longer diabetes duration (15 vs. 12 years, p = 0.003), more retinopathy (p = 0.045), higher vibratory perception threshold (38 vs. 31 mV, p = 0.002) and higher P-NT-proBNP (median values 64.4 vs. 42.4 ng/l, p = 0.006) compared with patients with CCS < 400. The gene discussed is NPPB; the disease is coronary atherosclerosis.