Figure 8 shows the KM curves for different expression levels of REG1A and RUNX3. Accordingly, the risk of DKD was found to be highest when expression levels of both REG1A and RUNX3 are high compared to other groups. Compared to patients with low expression of both REG1A and RUNX3, DM patients with high expression of both genes are at a rapidly increasing risk of developing DKD after 7-8 years of DM. Hence, REG1A and RUNX3 are potential biomarkers for predicting the risk of developing DKD. The gene discussed is REG1A; the disease is diabetes mellitus.