Room-Temperature Ferroelectric Epitaxial Nanowire Arrays with Photoluminescence.

The development of large-scale, high-quality ferroelectric semiconductor nanowire arrays with interesting light-emitting properties can address limitations in traditional wide-bandgap ferroelectrics, thus serving as building blocks for innovative device architectures and next-generation high-density optoelectronics. Here, we investigate the optical properties of ferroelectric CsGeX3 (X = Br, I) halide perovskite nanowires that are epitaxially grown on muscovite mica substrates by vapor phase deposition. Detailed structural characterizations reveal an incommensurate heteroepitaxial relationship with the mica substrate. Furthermore, photoluminescence that can be tuned from yellow-green to red emissions by varying the halide composition demonstrates that these nanowire networks can serve as platforms for future optoelectronic applications. In addition, the room-temperature ferroelectricity and ferroelectric domain structures of these nanowires are characterized using second harmonic generation (SHG) polarimetry. The combination of room-temperature ferroelectricity with photoluminescence in these nanowire arrays unlocks new avenues for the design of novel multifunctional materials.

Supramolecular assembly of blue and green halide perovskites with near-unity photoluminescence.

The metal-halide ionic octahedron is the optoelectronic unit for halide perovskites, and a crown ether-assisted supramolecular assembly approach can pack various ionic octahedra into tunable symmetries. In this work, we demonstrate near-unity photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) blue and green emission with the supramolecular assembly of hafnium (Hf) and zirconium (Zr) halide octahedral clusters. (18C6@K)2HfBr6 powders showed blue emission with a near-unity PLQY (96.2%), and green emission was also achieved with (18C6@K)2ZrCl4Br2 powders at a PLQY of 82.7%. These highly emissive powders feature facile low-temperature solution-based synthesis conditions and maintain high PLQY in solution-processable semiconductor inks under ambient conditions, and they were used in thin-film displays and emissive three-dimensional-printed architectures that exhibited high spatial resolution.

Ethnic and sex differences in the distributions of body mass index and waist circumference among adults: a binationally representative study in South Korea and the United States.

OBJECTIVE: The ethnic and sex differences in the distributions of body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) among adults are largely unknown. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the percentiles of BMI and WC in groups divided according to age, sex, and ethnicity. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted a population-based binational study of adults aged ≥20 years based on data from two sources: US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2015 to 2020) and Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2016 to 2019). RESULTS: Weight, height, and WC were measured in 13,144 American adults and 30,191 Korean adults. Overall, BMI increased at younger ages and decreased at older ages, which indicates a reversed U-shaped relationship, and differed in terms of age, sex, and ethnicity. Women in the other Hispanic, non-Hispanic white, non-Hispanic black, and "other ethnic groups" showed a common BMI peak at ages 50-54 years. The patterns of WC distribution were similar to those of BMI distribution. CONCLUSIONS: In this binational representative study, we found varied distributions of ethnic and sex differences in BMI and WC. Considering the differences in these distributions may help improve individual and personalized treatment strategies.

Controlling the Phase Transition in CsPbI3 Nanowires.

Cesium lead iodide (CsPbI3) is a promising semiconductor with a suitable band gap for optoelectronic devices. CsPbI3 has a metastable perovskite phase that undergoes a phase transition into an unfavorable nonperovskite phase in an ambient environment. This phase transition changes the optoelectronic properties of CsPbI3 and hinders its potential for device applications. Therefore, it is of central importance to understand the kinetics of such instability and develop strategies to control and stabilize the perovskite phase. Here, we use ultralong CsPbI3 nanowires as a model platform to investigate the phase transition kinetics. Our results depict the role of environmental stressors (moisture and temperature) in controlling the phase transition dynamics of CsPbI3, which can serve as guiding principles for future phase transition studies and the design of related photovoltaics. Furthermore, we demonstrate the controllability of phase propagation on individual nanowires by varying the moisture level and temperature.

Comparison of fracture risk between type 1 and type 2 diabetes: a comprehensive real-world data.

Population-based cohort study of 6,548,784 Korean subjects demonstrates that the risk of fracture was higher in patients with diabetes than in nondiabetic subjects. Furthermore, patients with type 1 diabetes were associated with a higher risk of fracture than patients with type 2 diabetes for all measurement sites. INTRODUCTION: Diabetes mellitus is associated with increased fracture risk. Although the pathophysiologic effect on bone metabolism differs according to the type of diabetes, a higher risk of fracture in patients with diabetes than in nondiabetic patients has been consistently demonstrated. Considering the ever-increasing number of patients with diabetes, we aimed to provide updated information on whether this phenomenon remains valid in real-world settings by using large-scale population datasets. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective longitudinal study using data from the Korean National Health Insurance Service dataset of preventive health check-ups between January 2009 and December 2016. The hazard ratios were calculated for any fracture, vertebral fracture, and hip fracture and were analyzed according to the presence and type of diabetes. Among 10,585,818 subjects, 6,548,784 were eligible for the analysis (2418 patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus [T1DM] and 506,208 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus [T2DM]). RESULTS: The mean follow-up duration (in years) was 7.0 ± 1.3 for subjects without diabetes, 6.4 ± 2.0 for those with T1DM, and 6.7 ± 1.7 for T2DM. Patients with T1DM had a higher incidence rate for all types of fractures per 1000 person-years. The fully adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) for any fracture, vertebral fracture, and hip fracture were higher in T1DM than in T2DM (1.37 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.23-1.52] for any fracture, 1.33 [95% CI: 1.09-1.63] for vertebral fracture, and 1.99 [95% CI: 1.56-2.53] for hip fracture). CONCLUSIONS: In this large-scale population analysis, diabetes was associated with a higher risk of all types of fractures. Patients with T1DM had a higher risk of fracture than those with T2DM for all measurement sites, and hip fractures had the highest risk. Therefore, fracture prevention training for patients with diabetes is advisable.

National health screening may reduce cardiovascular morbidity and mortality among the elderly.

OBJECTIVES: Since 2007, the Korean government has provided a free health screening to the elderly starting at the age of 66 years. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between this general health screening and the incidences of stroke and myocardial infarction and mortality. STUDY DESIGN: The study design used in this study is a retrospective cohort study. METHODS: The study was conducted using the universe of insurance claims data of Korea and followed a cohort of individuals aged 66 years in 2009 from 2006 through 2016 (n = 354,194). We assessed the association between receipt of the national health screening and health outcomes using propensity matching and Cox proportional hazard models. RESULTS: We found that the receipt of the national health screening was associated with a reduction in negative health outcomes. The hazard ratio for stroke was 0.89 (P < 0.001), 0.88 (P < 0.001) for myocardial infarction and 0.58 for death (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Korea's national health screening was associated with reductions in cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in the elderly.

Bodyweight variability and the risk of psoriasis: a nationwide population-based cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Bodyweight variability has been suggested to exacerbate chronic inflammation and increase the risk of adverse cardiovascular events. Little is known whether high variability in bodyweight affects the development of psoriasis. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between weight variability and the risk of psoriasis. METHODS: Using a representative cohort enrolled in the national health examination programme conducted by the Korean National Health Insurance Service, 8 016 907 people who were free of psoriasis and who underwent at least three health examinations between 2010 and 2015 were followed until the end of 2017. We classified participants numerically according to the variability indices and defined high variability (Q4) as the highest quartile of variability. Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to evaluate the risk of psoriasis according to the quartile groups of bodyweight variability. RESULTS: In total, 187 128 (2.33%) participants developed psoriasis during a median follow-up of 3.4 years. There was an association between baseline body mass index and the risk of psoriasis. In the multivariable model adjusting for confounding variables, an incrementally increased risk of psoriasis was observed for higher quartiles compared with the lowest quartile group (Q1). The hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence intervals comparing the highest (Q4) and lowest quartiles (Q1) of bodyweight variability were 1.06 (1.05-1.07) for psoriasis. CONCLUSION: High bodyweight variability was significantly associated with an increased risk of psoriasis. These findings imply that clinicians should encourage patients to maintain proper bodyweight to help prevent psoriasis.

Association between smoking and Behçet's disease: a nationwide population-based study in Korea.

BACKGROUND: There have been conflicting results about the association between Behçet's disease and smoking. Smoking has been reported to be a protective factor for Behçet's disease, whereas smoking may have a role in triggering Behçet's disease. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence of Behçet's disease in Korea according to smoking status using nationwide population data. METHODS: We analysed clinical data from individuals 20 years of age and older who received a health examination arranged by the Korean national insurance programme between 2009 and 2012. The incidence of Behçet's disease was analysed according to smoking status reported by individuals during their health examination. Newly diagnosed cases of Behçet's disease were identified using claims data from baseline to the date of diagnosis or until 31 December 2016. RESULTS: The risk of Behçet's disease was lower in current smokers compared with never-smokers regardless of the amount and duration of smoking. The decreased risk of Behçet's disease in current smoker persisted after adjusting for age, sex, regular exercise, drinking status, BMI, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and dyslipidaemia, history of stroke and/or history of ischaemic heart diseases. LIMITATIONS: Genetic susceptibility or family history of Behçet's disease was not considered. CONCLUSIONS: This study found a decreased incidence of Behçet's disease in current smokers compared with never-smokers. Further investigation of the pathophysiology responsible for the negative association between smoking and Behçet's disease is needed.

Systemic lupus erythematosus is a risk factor for cancer: a nationwide population-based study in Korea.

OBJECTIVE: Specific differences in cancer risk have been observed between systemic lupus erythematosus patients and the general population. Although meta-analyses have estimated cancer incidence in systemic lupus erythematosus patients, results have been inconclusive. Hence, we aimed to assess malignancy risk in systemic lupus erythematosus patients, compared to the risk in the general population. METHODS: Systemic lupus erythematosus patients ( n = 21,016; mean age 41.67 ± 13.14 years; female 90.22%) were selected from the Korean National Health Insurance Service database between 2008 and 2014. Age- and sex-matched controls were randomly sampled in a 5:1 ratio ( n = 105,080). RESULTS: During the 7 years of follow up, malignancy was detected in 763 (3.63%) systemic lupus erythematosus patients and 2667 (2.54%) controls. Systemic lupus erythematosus patients had a higher risk of malignancy than controls (odds ratio 1.44; 95% confidence interval 1.327-1.559), after multivariate adjustment. Systemic lupus erythematosus patients had a higher odds ratio for developing cervical, thyroid, ovarian, and oral cancer, as well as lymphoma, leukemia, and multiple myeloma than controls. Based on subgroup analysis, male systemic lupus erythematosus patients and patients younger than 40 years showed the highest lymphoma risk. CONCLUSIONS: Systemic lupus erythematosus might be an independent risk factor for cancer. Therefore, the importance of cancer screening programs should be emphasized in systemic lupus erythematosus patients. Our study is the first large nationwide cohort study for evaluating the risk of cancer in systemic lupus erythematosus patients.

Tooth Loss Predicts Myocardial Infarction, Heart Failure, Stroke, and Death.

We investigated whether oral health, represented by missing teeth, was associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, including myocardial infarction (MI), heart failure (HF), stroke, and all-cause mortality. Subjects who underwent routine dental examinations and health checkups provided by the Korean National Health Insurance from 2007 to 2008 ( n = 4,440,970) were followed up for incident MI, HF, stroke, and death until 2016. During follow-up of 7.56 y, 68,063 (1.5%) subjects died, and 31,868 (0.7%) were admitted for MI, 22,637 (0.5%) for HF, and 30,941 (0.7%) for stroke. Cardiovascular events and mortality increased in proportion to tooth loss. Tooth loss was an independent risk factor for cardiovascular events after multivariable analysis adjusted for cardiovascular risk, behavioral, and income factors. Each missing tooth was associated with an approximately 1% increase in MI (HR, 1.010; 95% CI, 1.007 to 1.014), 1.5% increase in HF (HR, 1.016; 95% CI, 1.013 to 1.019) and stroke (HR, 1.015; 95% CI, 1.012 to 1.018), and 2% increase in mortality (HR, 1.022; 95% CI, 1.020 to 1.023). Having ≥5 missing teeth substantially increased risk for cardiovascular outcomes, and even a small number of missing teeth (1 to 4) was associated with an increased risk for MI, stroke, and death. This association was consistent in subgroup analyses and especially strong among the younger subjects (age <65 y) and those with periodontitis. In this large Korean nationwide cohort study, we found that tooth loss showed a dose-dependent association with incident MI, HF, ischemic stroke, and all-cause death and was a good predictor of cardiovascular outcome. In clinical practice, the number of missing teeth can aid physicians in discriminating patients with a higher cardiovascular risk.

Systemic lupus erythematosus is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease: a nationwide, population-based study in Korea.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the incidence and clinical significance of cardiovascular disease in systemic lupus erythematosus patients. METHODS: We included systemic lupus erythematosus patients ( n = 18,575) without previous cardiovascular disease and age- and sex-matched individuals without systemic lupus erythematosus (controls; n = 92,875) from the Korean National Health Insurance Service database (2008-2014). Both cohorts were followed up for incident cardiovascular disease and death until 2015. RESULTS: During follow up, myocardial infarction occurred in 203 systemic lupus erythematosus patients and 325 controls (incidence rate: 1.76 and 0.56 per 1000 person-years, respectively), stroke occurred in 289 patients and 403 controls (incidence rate: 2.51 and 0.70 per 1000 person-years, respectively), heart failure occurred in 358 patients and 354 controls (incidence rate 3.11 and 0.61 per 1000 person-years, respectively), and death occurred in 744 patients and 948 controls (incidence rate 6.54 and 1.64 per 1000 person-years, respectively). Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus had higher risks for myocardial infarction (hazard ratio: 2.74, 95% confidence interval: 2.28-3.37), stroke (hazard ratio: 3.31, 95% confidence interval: 2.84-3.86), heart failure (hazard ratio: 4.60, 95% confidence interval: 3.96-5.35), and cardiac death (hazard ratio: 3.98, 95% confidence interval: 3.61-4.39). CONCLUSIONS: Here, systemic lupus erythematosus was an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease, thus cardiac assessment and management are critical in systemic lupus erythematosus patients.

Insulin Resistance is Associated with Chronic Laryngitis in Korean Women.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the association between chronic laryngitis (CL) and insulin resistance (IR) in South Korea using data from the 2010 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (KNHANES). DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Cross-sectional data of 4,261 adults who completed KNHANES were analyzed. CL was considered when participants experienced a voice change and demonstrated flexible laryngoscopic findings of diffuse laryngeal inflammation. All participants were assessed for IR using the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). RESULTS: Among the Korean population older than 19 years, the prevalence of chronic laryngitis was 3.8±0.7%. Univariate analysis demonstrated that CL was significantly associated with smoking and systolic and diastolic blood pressure in men and with age, diastolic blood pressure, HDL cholesterol, insulin, and HOMA-IR in women. Multiple regression analysis demonstrated that the mean value of HOMA-IR was significantly associated with CL in women only. In addition, CL was more prevalent in the highest compared with the lowest HOMA-IR quartile (OR [95% CI]: 2.268 [1.053-4.884] after adjusting for age, OR [95% CI]: 2.235 [1.040-6.181] after adjusting for confounding factors of age, body mass index, smoking status, alcohol intake, regular exercise, education, and income). CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that IR characterized by HOMA-IR is significantly associated with CL in Korean women only. Our results suggest that HOMA-IR could be an early predictive factor of increased risk of CL in Korean women.

Predicting hypertension among Korean cancer survivors: A nationwide population-based study.

Hypertension is the most common comorbidity among cancer survivors, although there is no model for predicting hypertension in this population. Therefore, we developed a model for predicting hypertension using data from 6,480 Korean cancer survivors who were ≥20 years old. The odds ratios (ORs) for hypertension were calculated using stepwise logistic regression analyses, and a nomogram was generated to predict hypertension. Hypertension was independently associated with an age of ≥65 years (OR: 3.058), male gender (OR: 1.195), obesity (OR: 1.998), prehypertension (OR: 2.06), dyslipidaemia (OR: 2.011) and diabetes mellitus (OR: 2.297). Each variable in the nomogram was assigned a specific number of points, and the total score (range: 0-400) was used to obtain a value for predicting hypertension. The estimated prevalence of hypertension increased when the total nomogram score exceeded the sixth decile (total points: 128; p for trend <.001). Therefore, among Korean cancer survivors, hypertension was significantly associated with an age of >65 years, male gender, obesity, and having various comorbidities (e.g., prehypertension, dyslipidaemia and diabetes mellitus). Furthermore, our nomogram could predict the incidence of hypertension, and the sixth decile of the total nomogram score predicted an increased risk of hypertension.

Prevalence of tinnitus according to temporomandibular joint disorders and dental pain: The Korean National Population-based Study.

Some studies have reported that temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) is related to tinnitus. However, there is no study of the relationship and prevalence of dental pain and tinnitus. We evaluated the associations between the prevalence of tinnitus and TMD and dental pain by analysing the Korean national health survey. We analysed totally 11 745 participants. The presence of tinnitus, TMD symptoms and dental pain was surveyed by self-assessment questionnaires from all the participants. Multivariable regression analysis was applied to acquire odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). The prevalence of tinnitus was higher in the subjects with dental pain (21.1%), TMD (22.5%) and both symptoms (31.2%) than subjects without those symptoms (19.6%). After adjusting for all covariates, subjects with TMD had tinnitus 1.6 times more than subjects without TMD. In the subanalysis, age group more than 65 years, women, and obese subjects had tinnitus more than men, age group <65, and non-obese subjects, respectively. TMD alone and both dental pain and TMD were associated with tinnitus (OR = 1.389 and 95% CI 1.054-1.832 and 2.206 and 1.637-2.974, respectively). Subjects with TMD had more tinnitus than subjects without TMD. Moreover, subjects with dental pain in addition to TMD had increased prevalence of tinnitus than TMD alone.

Incidence, prevalence, and mortality of Adamantiades-Behçet's disease in Korea: a nationwide, population-based study (2006-2015).

BACKGROUND: The epidemiology of Adamantiades-Behçet's disease varies among ethnic populations worldwide. Trends in the incidence of Adamantiades-Behçet's disease have not been investigated based on the Korean National Health Insurance database. OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the incidence and mortality of Adamantiades-Behçet's disease by age using nationwide population data in Korea. METHODS: A nationwide population-based cohort study was performed using the Korean National Health Insurance Claims Database from 2006 to 2015. The incidence of Adamantiades-Behçet's disease was calculated by age, sex, calendar year and habitat. And comorbid metabolic diseases were also analysed in patients with Adamantiades-Behçet's disease. RESULTS: The annual incidence of Adamantiades-Behçet's disease per 100 000 person-years was 3.976 (2.587 for males and 5.373 for females) from 2006 to 2015. The incidence of Adamantiades-Behçet's disease peaked among people in their 40s (6.561 per 100 000 person-years). Incidence was significantly higher in subjects with comorbid metabolic conditions, such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension and dyslipidemia. The mortality rate per 1000 person-years increased with age in patients with Adamantiades-Behçet's disease. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed the incidence, prevalence and mortality of Adamantiades-Behçet's disease. Metabolic conditions increased the risk of Adamantiades-Behçet's disease among Koreans.

Atopic dermatitis is inversely associated with hepatitis B antigen positivity: a population-based cohort study.

BACKGROUND: No clear association between hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and atopic dermatitis (AD) has been established. Some studies have reported that subjects with HBV had an increased risk of atopy; other studies reported an inverse association between HBV seropositivity and allergic diseases. OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the association between AD and hepatitis B antigen (HBsAg) positivity using Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data. METHODS: In total, 14 776 participants aged >19 years were included in the analysis. Multiple logistic regression analyses were used to evaluate the odds ratio of HBsAg positivity in association with AD and asthma. RESULTS: The prevalence of HBsAg positivity was lower in individuals with AD than in those without AD (mean [SE], 0.7% [0.4] vs. 3.7% [0.2]; P < 0.001). However, HBsAg positivity was not significantly associated with asthma (3.7% [0.2] vs. 2.8% [0.8]; P < 0.001). HBsAg positivity decreased the risk of AD significantly (OR = 0.223; 95% CI = 0.069-0.72). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates an inverse association between AD and HBsAg positivity using a nationwide, population-based, cross-sectional health examination and survey.

Relationship between tinnitus and suicidal behaviour in Korean men and women: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the prevalence of suicidal ideation and behaviour in a representative sample of South Koreans with or without tinnitus. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study. SETTING: Based on data from the 2010 to 2012 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). PARTICIPANTS: The study included 17 446 Korean individuals. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Participants provided demographic, socio-economic and behavioural information, as well as responses to questionnaires assessing the presence and severity of tinnitus, mental health status regarding stress, depression, and suicidal ideation and attempts. In the univariate analysis, the Rao-Scott chi-square test and logistic regression analysis were used to test the association between tinnitus and risk factors. Simple and multiple linear regression analyses were used to examine the association between tinnitus and mental status. RESULTS: A total of 20.9% and 1.2% of participants with tinnitus, and 12.2% and 0.6% of those without, reported suicidal ideation and attempts, respectively (P < 0.0001 and P = 0.001). Participants reporting suicide attempts showed a higher proportion of severe annoying (6.0%) and irritating (11.8%) tinnitus than those with suicidal ideation (1.4% and 10.2%, respectively). Risks for experiencing tinnitus were significantly associated with suicidal ideation and attempts after adjusting for confounding variables. CONCLUSION: This study has important implications for enhanced screening and evaluation of mental health status and suicidal ideation/behaviour among tinnitus patients.

Body composition is more closely related to the development of knee osteoarthritis in women than men: a cross-sectional study using the Fifth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES V-1, 2).

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between knee osteoarthritis (OA) and body composition parameters, and to analyze the correlations of both obesity and lower extremity muscle mass with radiographic knee OA in relation to sex. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study using data on body composition parameters measured using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry in 4246 participants in the Fifth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The relationships between knee OA and body composition parameters were evaluated. The associations between knee OA and the four subgroups corresponding to obesity and muscle mass percentage in both lower extremities were analyzed separately for each sex. RESULTS: The lower extremity muscle mass showed a decreasing trend, while fat parameters showed an increasing linear trend (P for trend <0.05) with increasing severity of knee OA in women. The odds ratio of each quarter percentile group (25 percentile) for fat parameters showed an increasing trend, while that of the lower extremity muscle mass showed a decreasing linear trend in relation to knee OA in women (P for trend < 0.05). In women, low percentage of lower extremity muscle mass was more associated with knee OA regardless of obesity (P < 0.05). However, there were no associations between all body composition parameters and knee OA in men. CONCLUSION: In women, high fat mass and low lower extremity muscle mass were associated with presence and severity of knee OA. Lower extremity muscle mass was more closely correlated with knee OA than obesity in women.

Clinical utility of serum beta-2-microglobulin as a predictor of diabetic complications in patients with type 2 diabetes without renal impairment.

AIM: As serum beta-2-microglobulin (B2M) levels are usually elevated in patients with renal failure, they have been suggested as a surrogate marker of cardiovascular mortality for patients with chronic kidney disease. Glycation of B2M is cytotoxic and may contribute to the risk of diabetic complications in patients with diabetes. Our objective was to evaluate the relationship between B2M and diabetic complications in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and normal kidney function. METHODS: A total of 366 patients with T2D and preserved renal function with no clinical evidence of cardiovascular disease were enrolled consecutively into this study. High B2M was defined as a median serum B2M level ≥ 1.8 mg/L. Subclinical atherosclerosis was defined as a carotid artery intima-media thickness (C-IMT) ≥ 0.9 mm or the presence of carotid plaque. The definition of diabetic nephropathy was based on the presence of albuminuria (≥ 30 mg/g creatinine). RESULTS: Patients with high B2M were older, and had diabetes of longer duration, higher serum creatinine, microalbuminuria, and increased vascular stiffness and C-IMT compared with patients with low B2M. B2M levels were positively correlated with C-IMT and vascular stiffness, and these associations remained constant after adjusting for age. In addition, after adjusting for age, gender, body mass index, serum creatinine, hypertension, smoking and alcohol consumption, the adjusted odds ratio (OR) for atherosclerosis was 2.01 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.02-3.94] per 1mg/L increase in B2M. The prevalences of diabetic retinopathy and nephropathy were significantly higher with a high B2M than with a low B2M. The multiple adjusted OR for diabetic nephropathy was 2.29 (95% CI: 1.11-4.72) per 1mg/L increase of B2M. CONCLUSION: Higher serum B2M was an independent risk factor for subclinical atherosclerosis and diabetic nephropathy in patients with T2D without renal impairment.