After adjusting for other risk factors (including BMI, presence of hypertension, diabetes mellitus and dyslipidemia and blood concentration of uric acid, C-reactive protein and homocysteine), we further demonstrate that occurrence of CIMT and formation of carotid plaques, particularly the unstable ones, were also significantly higher in postmenopausal women compared with premenopausal women. This evidence concerns the gene CRP and diabetes mellitus.