In further analysis, the effect of statin treatment on apoCIII markers were minor in CHD patients with DM (p > 0.05), but the effect on plasma apoCIII (11.14 ± 3.72 mg/L vs 12.95 ± 5.75 mg/L) and HDL-apoCIII (25.19 ± 15.39 ug/mgHDL vs 30.84 ± 16.92 ug/mgHDL) were significant in CHD patients without DM (Additional file 5, p < 0.05). The gene discussed is APOC3; the disease is diabetes mellitus.