In a multivariable model, after adjusting for age, gender, BMI, smoking status, insulin usage, comorbidities (including hypertension, hyperlipidaemia and prior MI), previous PCI, indication for angiography and extent of CTO, we confirmed that DM was an independent predictor of mortality, with diabetic patients having a 31% higher risk compared with those without diabetes. Here, INS is linked to hyperlipidemia.