In the final MBDA-based model, derived from backward elimination, the variables of age, diabetes, history of CVD, hypertension, tobacco use, MBDA score, and three biomarkers (leptin, MMP-3, TNF-R1) were significant predictors in multivariable analyses; sex, hyperlipidemia, and nine biomarkers were not. The gene discussed is MMP3; the disease is diabetes mellitus.