Each subject is assessed for presence and severity of complications. 24h-Urinary albumin is measured by nephelometry Dimension Vista 1500 System (Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics, Huizingen, Belgium) with reagents from the same manufacturer (REF K7062). using a Behring Nephelometer II (Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Products, Marburg, Germany). Microalbuminuria is defined as a urinary albumin excretion exceeding 20 µg/min. Both carotid arteries are examined using a carotid duplex scanner (General Electrics, Vivid 7 Pro), equipped with an 8-Mhz high-resolution probe.