Both groups had similar baseline characteristics ( mean -LSB- SD -RSB- age , @ -LSB- @ -RSB- years ; @ % men ; disease duration , @ -LSB- @ -RSB- years ; HbA ( @c ) level , @ % -LSB- @ % -RSB- ; systolic blood pressure , @ -LSB- @ -RSB- mm Hg ; low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level , @ -LSB- @ -RSB- mmol/L ; @ % cardiovascular-renal complications ; and @ % insulin treated ) .