ACE and metabolic syndrome: There were statistically significant differences between those who underwent carotid ultrasonographic examinations (e.g. measurement of IMT and/or GSM) (n = 600) and those who did not (n = 399) in the following variables: duration of type 2 diabetes, eGFR, urine albumin-to-creatinine ratios, prevalence of dyslipidemia, use of anti-diabetic drugs, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin II receptor blockers, and statins.