Fig. 1.

Both BMI and LVEF were negatively correlated with BNP. Correlations between BNP levels and BMI (A) and between BNP levels and LVEF (B) in the entire study population (n=557 each) are shown. P-values and correlation coefficient values (r) are noted. (C) Path diagrams against plasma BNP levels are shown. A path model was theoretically proposed to clarify the contribution of various parameters to the BNP. The path has a coefficient that shows the standardized coefficient of a regressing independent variable on the dependent variable of the relevant path. These variables indicate the standardized regression coefficients (direct effects). The underlined portions indicate significant values. Sex was coded 0/1 as an indicator variable (male = 0, female = 1). BMI = body mass index; BNP = B-type natriuretic peptide; CRP = C-reactive protein; e = extraneous variable; eGFR = estimated glomerular filtration rate; Hb = hemoglobin; LVEF = left ventricular ejection fraction.