Figure 2. Possible exclusion scenarios.

Above, the figure demonstrates the graphical description for the time-windows when information was collected. In the MetS-developed and MetS-recovery groups, the inclusion date was the date of the health examination when MetS developed or recovered. For the MetS-free and MetS-chronic groups, the date of confirmation of consistency, or the second examination date, was the inclusion date. The outcomes were assessed during later exams. Below, the figure demonstrates several possible scenarios of exclusion, as follows: 1) those who had fewer than three health examinations; 2) those with transient changes in their MetS statuses; 3) cases with fluctuating changes; 4) cases with alterations in MetS statuses at the last exam were excluded, because designating the baseline at the time of change would not secure the persistency of the change during the follow-up period.

CKD, chronic kidney disease; MetS, metabolic syndrome.