Compared to SMART2D cohorts, the participants in DN cohorts were older, had higher proportion of male sex and smokers, more use of insulin and RAS antagonist, higher HbA1c level, higher total cholesterol, triglyceride levels, lower HDL level and poorer renal functions (higher uACR and lower eGFR) (Additional file 1: Table S1). This evidence concerns the gene INS and liver dysplastic nodule.