The independent variables entered in the model at step one were demographic variables (age, gender, education), duration of diabetes, glycemic control (HbA1c level), CVDs (MI, angina, stroke), cardiovascular risk factors (BMI, smoking status, hyperlipidemia, previous HA or use of HA drugs), microvascular complications, presence of depressive syndrome, number of co-morbid conditions, levels of total, LDL, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, AGEs, RAGE, and CRP. Here, AGER is linked to Stroke.