DM = diabetes mellitus; COPD = chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; CVD = cerebrovascular disease; IHD = ischaemic heart disease; PVD = peripheral vascular disease; CCI = Charlson’s comorbidity index; IMD = index of multiple deprivation; BMI = body mass index; PWV = pulse wave velocity; PP = pulse pressure; CKD-EPI = Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration; eGFR = estimated glomerular filtration rate; ACR = albumin creatinine ratio; CRP = C-reactive protein; cFLC = combined free light chains. The gene discussed is ALB; the disease is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.