While the levels of circulating ANXA5 have been shown to be associated with the severity of coronary stenosis [46] and subclinical atherosclerosis outcomes in patients with T2DM or systemic lupus erythematosus [33,47], another study revealed no direct association between ANXA5 levels and CIMT progression [30], consistent with the present study. The gene discussed is ANXA5; the disease is systemic lupus erythematosus.