KL and atherosclerosis: Regarding subclinical atherosclerosis markers, both serum and PBCs mRNA Klotho levels were positively correlated with ABI (r = 0.556, P < 0.0001 and r = 0.373, P < 0.0001, respectively) and inversely correlated with CIMT (r = − 0.541, P < 0.0001 and r = − 0.437, P < 0.0001, respectively).