Higher concentrations of plasma osteopontin were associated with an increased CVD risk in the final models [model 3, HRQ4 vs Q1 2.00 (1.20–3.35)], which was adjusted for sex, BMI, smoking status, prevalent CVD, hs-CRP, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, age at onset of diabetes, HbA1c levels and eGFR. The gene discussed is CRP; the disease is diabetes mellitus.