Stenosis ≥50%   a OR*(95%CI) Calcification volume aortic arch Adjusted beta coeff† (95%CI) Calcification volume carotid bifurcations Adjusted beta coeff† (95%CI) Calcification volume intracranial carotid arteries Adjusted beta coeff† (95%CI) Newly-diagnosed disturbed glucose metabolism vs. normal glucose metabolism All patients 1.51 (1.04-2.20) 0.13 (-0.12-0.39) 0.08 (-0.15-0.31) 0.12 (-0.14-0.38) Patients without cholesterol-lowering drugs NS 0.25 (-0.05-0.54) 0.10 (-0.16-0.35) 0.10 (-0.19-0.39) Patients with cholesterol-lowering drugs NS -0.04 (-0.52-0.44) 0.06 (-0.39-0.51) 0.14 (-0.38-0.66) Pre-existent diabetes mellitus vs. normal glucose metabolism All patients 1.65 (1.06-2.58) 0.49 (0.18-0.81) 0.50 (0.22-0.79) 0.57 (0.25-0.88) Patients without cholesterol-lowering drugs NS 0.51 (0.07-0.95) 0.79 (0.40-1.18) 0.94 (0.52-1.36) Patients with cholesterol-lowering drugs NS 0.54 (0.05-1.03) 0.30 (-0.17-0.76) 0.34 (-0.18-0.87)

Table 3: Association between both newly-diagnosed disturbed glucose metabolism and pre-existent diabetes mellitus and atherosclerosis, assessed with multivariable logistic and linear regression analysis (*odds ratio with corresponding 95% confidence interval adjusted for age, sex, hypertension, cholesterol-lowering drugs, current smoking, previous ischemic heart disease, previous TIA/ischemic stroke, BMI; †beta coefficient with corresponding 95% confidence interval adjusted for age, sex, hypertension, cholesterol-lowering drugs, current smoking, previous ischemic heart disease, previous TIA/ischemic stroke, BMI; NS no significant interaction between cholesterol-lowering drugs use and stenosis).