After adjusting for potential confounders (age, body mass index, energy intake, physical activity, diabetes duration, cardiovascular disease history, and drug usage (angiotensin receptor blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, beta-blockers, metformin, sulphonylurea, and insulin)), presence in the third tertile as opposed to the first tertile of the MDPS pattern was associated with lower odds of having DN (OR = 0.03; 95 % CI: 0.00–0.10). This evidence concerns the gene ACE and diabetes mellitus.