This analysis revealed that the variables associated with the presence of carotid plaques were age (p < 0.001), advanced DR (p = 0.044), smoking (p = 0.013), dyslipidemia (p < 0.001), pulse pressure (p = 0.014), and albumin creatinine ratio (p = 0.013) (Fig. 2a). Here, ALB is linked to metabolic syndrome.