FGF21: fibroblast growth factor 21; BMI: body mass index; FPG: fasting plasma glucose; HbA1c: haemoglobin A1c; SBP: systolic blood pressure; DBP: diastolic blood pressure; TG: triglyceride; TC: total cholesterol; HDL-c: high-density lipoprotein cholesterol; LDL-c: low-density lipoprotein cholesterol; eGFR: estimated glomerular filtration rate; cIMT: carotid intima media thickness; ALT: alanine transaminase; AST: aspartate Transaminase; ALP: alkaline phosphatase; CAS: carotid atherosclerosis; HP: hypertension. Here, FGF21 is linked to carotid atherosclerosis.