TF and diabetes mellitus: Compared with the second SCL quartile (n = 159; median SCL, 0.39 μg/L; IQR: 0.34, 0.46), third SCL quartile (n = 163; median SCL, 0.80 μg/L; IQR: 0.65, 0.92), and fourth SCL quartile (n = 161; median SCL, 1.59 μg/L; IQR: 1.26, 2.26) groups, the first SCL quartile group (n = 164; median SCL, 0.20 μg/L; IQR: 0.14, 0.24) seemed to comprise patients with an older age, lower hemoglobin and creatinine levels and higher prevalence of DM and malnutrition, as well as higher serum transferrin saturation and ferritin levels (Table 1).