After adjustment for the prevalence of hypertension, diabetes and dyslipidemia, thrombin-cleaved osteopontin N-terminal levels of >5.47 pmol l<sup>-1</sup> (odds ratio, 16.81; 95% confidence interval, 3.53-80.10) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 levels of >605.5 ng ml<sup>-1</sup> (6.59; 1.77-24.60) were identified as independent predictors of atherothrombosis.