In particular, when compared to patients who did not lose weight, patients who lost weight had higher rates of chronic steroid use (7% vs. 4%, P = 0.029), diabetes (26% vs. 18%, P = 0.004), COPD (8% vs. 4%, P = 0.008), CHF (3% vs. 1%, P = 0.009), and lower serum albumin (mean of 3.90 vs. 4.08, P < 0.001). This evidence concerns the gene ALB and congestive heart failure.