In a 2017 meta-analysis (23 studies included), risk for all-cause mortality in HD patients was increased by age, presence of DM, previous CVD, higher CRP levels, higher levels of ferritin, higher levels of HbA1c, TnT and BNP, while higher BMI, hemoglobin, albumin, TIBC, ApoA2 and ApoA3 levels were associated with lower risk. Here, NPPB is linked to diabetes mellitus.