In order to better understand the relationship between the levels of NT-proBNP in patients with PAD, we conducted a subgroup analysis looking at potential cardiovascular confounding factors (prior history of CHF, prior history of CAD, diabetes and hypercholesteremia–all of which have previously been shown to be associated with NT-proBNP [22,27–32]). The gene discussed is NPPB; the disease is diabetes mellitus.