VEGFA and diabetes mellitus: Among females, the DN group subjects showed higher SBP (P < 0.01), longer duration of diabetes (P < 0.01), higher BUN levels (P < 0.001), higher creatinine levels (P < 0.05), higher UACR (P < 0.001), lower eGFR (P < 0.01), higher serum VEGF levels (P < 0.001) and worse glycemic control characterized by higher HbA1c (P < 0.01) and higher fasting plasma glucose (FPG) levels (P < 0.01) compared with the non-DN subjects.