Table 1 Baseline characteristics of the study population (n = 4396)

Number of patients enrolled

1081 (24.6)

1102 (25.1)

2213 (50.3)

Male, n (%)

454 (42.0)

456 (41.4)

926 (41.8)

Age, years

70.4 ± 2.7

70.3 ± 2.8

70.3 ± 2.7

Weight, kg

70.1 ± 12.4

70.4 ± 12.5

70.0 ± 12.6

Serum potassium, mmol/L‡

4.2 ± 0.4 (n = 1046)

4.2 ± 0.4 (n = 1072)

4.2 ± 0.4 (n = 2160)

Serum sodium, mmol/L‡

141.6 ± 2.0 (n = 1055)

141.6 ± 2.0 (n = 1083)

141.6 ± 2.0 (n = 2173)

Glucose, mmol/L‡

3.4 ± 0.7 (n = 999)

3.4 ± 0.7 (n = 1025)

3.4 ± 0.7 (n = 2051)

Serum cholesterol, mmol/L‡

6.5 ± 1.3 (n = 1054)

6.5 ± 1.2 (n = 1075)

6.4 ± 1.2 (n = 2154)

Serum urea, mmol/L‡

6.0 ± 1.4 (n = 1036)

5.9 ± 1.4 (n = 1066)

5.9 ± 1.3 (n = 2128)

Serum urate, μmol/L‡

341.8 ± 70.5 (n = 1002)

336.8 ± 71.4 (n = 1030)

337.8 ± 70.5 (n = 2053)