NPPB and hypertensive disorder: Serum N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) concentration (351±278 vs. 125±163 pg/mL, P=0.002), hypertension as a comorbidity (82% vs. 40%, P=0.018), and diuretic use (36% vs. 10%, P=0.047) were significantly higher/more frequent in Group I than in Group II.