Multiple linear regression analysis revealed an independent association a of eCAT volume with total plaque volume (R2 = 0.11, rpartial = 0.22, p = 0.020), with calcium score (R2 = 0.32, rpartial = 0.26, p = 0.010) and with fraction of non-calcified plaque volume (R2 = 0.23, rpartial = 0.27, p = 0.014) after adjustment for age, diabetes mellitus, hyperlidipemia, BMI, hs-CRP and hs-TnT. The gene discussed is CRP; the disease is diabetes mellitus.