In a multivariate competing-risk model, HRs for diabetes were 1.33 (95% CI 1.03, 1.71; p for trend = 0.049) for the fourth vs the first quartile of GDF-15, and 1.10 (95% CI 1.00, 1.21; p = 0.042) per SD increase in GDF-15. This evidence concerns the gene GDF15 and diabetes mellitus.