T2DM patients with CV organ damage, i.e. those with cIMT and cfPWV higher than 90th percentiles of the reference population and those with the presence of LV hypertrophy, had significantly lower HDL and higher ILs and MMP-12 than those without organ damage (Table 4), after adjustment for diabetes duration, BP-lowering, lipid-lowering and diabetic treatment, smoking habit and, if applicable, also for sex, age and BP. The gene discussed is MMP12; the disease is diabetes mellitus.