On a sex-specific multiple logistic regression model, independent, significant impact factors for subclinical atherosclerosis in both genders were identified: for men these included age, BMI, smoking history, family history of CVD, fasting glucose, fasting insulin, hypertension, dyslipidemia and serum FGF21; for women these included age, BMI, smoking history, family history of CVD, menopausal status, fasting glucose, fasting insulin, hypertension, dyslipidemia and serum FGF21 (Model 1, Table 3). The gene discussed is INS; the disease is metabolic syndrome.