As compared with the PD group, the HD group had younger patients (p = .001), a larger proportion of male patients (p = .030), higher BMI (p = .018), lesser urine output (p = .036), lower BNP (p = .032) and residual glomerular filtration rate (GFR) (p = .033), higher serum creatinine (p = .019) and urea nitrogen (p = .027), lower incidences of coronary heart disease (p = .001), peripheral vascular disease (p = .001) and myocardial infarction (p = .005); nevertheless, more patients in the HD group had COPD (p = .001). The gene discussed is NPPB; the disease is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.