The patients in Group 1 had a higher prevalence of stage 3 chronic kidney disease (52% vs. 17%, P = 0.006), elevated levels of N-terminal-prohormone of brain natriuretic peptide (902 ± 1,226 pg/ml vs. 294 ± 346 pg/ml; P = 0.0216), and a greater frequency of using loop and/or thiazides diuretics (41% vs. 17%; P = 0.0467). Here, NPPB is linked to chronic kidney disease.