On univariable analysis, age, duration of diabetes, GE index, hypertension, dyslipidaemia, METS-IR, apoB, apoA, apoB/A, ALT, TBIL, Hb, SII, PP, DR, and ASCVD were significantly associated with DKD (P<0.01 or P<0.05). Here, APOB is linked to diabetes mellitus.