These associations were independent of age, sex, diabetes duration, mean 24-hour ambulatory systolic blood pressure, glycated hemoglobin A1c, total cholesterol, estimated glomerular filtration rate, body mass index, and active smoking.<h4>Conclusions</h4>Plasma copeptin may be a helpful surrogate for identifying individuals at higher risk for arterial disorders.<h4>Trial registration</h4>ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT010497377. This evidence concerns the gene AVP and diabetes mellitus.