MMP9 and carotid atherosclerosis: In logistic regression analysis, CAD (OR = 1.56, p < 0.001), diabetes (OR = 1.72, p = 0.023), CAVI (OR = 1.29, p = 0.012), serum MMP-9 (OR = 1.38, p < 0.001) remained independent predictors of significant carotid atherosclerosis (Table 2).