NPPB and diabetes mellitus: Moreover, the final multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression model was created using a forward stepwise algorithm that included presence of diabetes mellitus (HR 1.897, 95% CI 1.180–3.048;P = 0.008), treatment with statins (HR 1.851, 95% CI 1.113–3.078; P = 0.018), higher lg(NT-proBNP) (HR 2.041, 95% CI 1.189–3.502;P = 0.010), and SFRP2 (HR 2.326, 95% CI 1.426–3.794;P = 0.001) levels.