NPPB and Glucose intolerance: Regarding laboratory examinations, there were differences in tests related to liver and renal functions (AST, ALT, estimated glomerular filtration rate, and platelet count), glucose intolerance (hemoglobin A1c), lipid profile (total/high-density lipoprotein/low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglyceride), and plasma BNP levels among the 3 groups.