Changes in lean body mass over 12 months (mean ± SEM) between the patients in the higher and middle–lower tertiles of N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) (a), changes in the percent creatinine generation rate between the patients in the higher and middle–lower tertiles of NT-proBNP (b), changes in creatinine index between the patients in the higher and middle–lower tertiles of NT-proBNP (c).

<p>*** P <0.001 between the higher versus middle–lower tertiles at the time point.