In multivariable adjusted logistic regression models stratified by diabetes status, strong but non-significant associations were observed for the highest tertile of VEGF-A (OR(95% CI) 6.47(0.89–47.1), p = 0.07), lowest tertile of the angiopoietin-1/VEGF-A ratio (OR (95% CI) 3.47(0.50–23.9), p = 0.21), and the highest tertile of PTX-3 (OR (95% CI) 8.03(0.93–69.6), p = 0.06) in diabetics (see Additional file 1: Table S1). This evidence concerns the gene VEGFA and diabetes mellitus.