However, significant associations between plasma levels of MMPs and TIMP-1 on the one hand and CVD, albuminuria and retinopathy on the other hand were largely independent of LGI and ED, as these associations remained significant after adding the LGI and/or ED score to the model (Additional file 1: Table S1, Additional file 2: Table S2 and Additional file 3: Table S3; Models 3, 4 and 5). This evidence concerns the gene TIMP1 and retinal disorder.