Significant correlations were observed between SAF and age (r = 0.284, p = 0.019), duration of diabetes (rs = 0.365, p = 0.002), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (r =  − 0.253, p = 0.037), estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) (r =  − 0.247, p = 0.042), %CV (r = 0.243, p = 0.046), MODD (rs = 0.246, p = 0.043), 2-year average HbA1c (r = 0.295, p = 0.015), and urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) (rs = 0.261, p = 0.032). This evidence concerns the gene ALB and diabetes mellitus.