Patients in the Q4 group had a higher proportion of coronary heart disease,hypertension, diabetes, and NYHA class IV than patients in the Q2 group.Patients in the Q4 group had lower levels of hemoglobin, albumin, and eGFR buthigher NT-proBNP and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and a higher age thanpatients in all other groups. Here, ALB is linked to diabetes mellitus.