The mean plasma NT-proBNP levels in each group were 131.0 ± 264.6 pg/mL (CKD stage 1 and 2), 355.2 ± 512.5 pg/mL (CKD stage 3), 1459.8 ± 3552.3 pg/mL (CKD stage 4) and 5112.9 ± 9334.6 pg/mL (CKD stage 5), and 12,378.6 ± 19,383.1 pg/mL (CKD stage 5D) (Fig. 1b). This evidence concerns the gene NPPB and chronic kidney disease.