In parallel, two cohorts were defined: a primary prevention cohort (n = 726) with 1–5 years duration of T1D, no retinopathy and urinary albumin excretion rate (AER) < 40 mg/24 h; and a secondary intervention cohort (n = 715) with 1–15 years duration of T1D, mild-to-moderate non-proliferative retinopathy and urinary AER < 200 mg/24 h. The gene discussed is ALB; the disease is type 1 diabetes mellitus.