Continuous variables are expressed as the means ± standard deviations. Categorical data are expressed as numbers with percentages. Group comparisons were performed using a one-way analysis of variance for continuous variables and chi-square testing for categorical variables. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to evaluate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) for HF outcomes and mortality during follow up, including CV mortality. The covariates for adjustment were (1) Model 1, crude; (2) Model 2, age, sex, and body weight; (3) Model 3, covariates in Model 2 + alcohol consumption, smoking, regular exercise, and income status; (4) Model 4, covariates in Model 3 + hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, and eGFR. Since the FLI can be changed during subsequent periods after the first two years, subjects whose FLI categories were subsequently changed were censored for sensitivity analysis. The p-values for interaction were evaluated through an analysis stratified by age (< 60 years vs. ≥ 60 years) [31 (link)] and BMI (< 25 kg/m2 vs. ≥ 25 kg/m2) [20 (link), 32 (link)]. A p-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Statistical analyses were performed using the SAS software program (version 9.4; SAS Institute, Cary, NC, USA).
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