Height, weight, body mass index (BMI), and waist circumference (WC) were measured with participants in the standing position. BMI was calculated by dividing body weight (kg) by height in meters squared (m2). SBP and diastolic BP (DBP) were measured at the upper arm in participants who had been seated for at least 5 min. BPs were measure once or twice. First measurements were used in the analysis. Serum levels of total cholesterol (mg/dL; TC: Ultra. Violet‐End [UV‐End] method using cholesterol dehydrogenase), high‐density‐lipoprotein cholesterol (mg/dL; HDL‐C: Direct method), and triglycerides (mg/dL; TGs: Enzymatic method) were also measured. LDL‐C was estimated using the Friedewald equation ([TC]—[HDL‐C]—[TGs/5]).16 SUA levels were also measured using an enzymatic method (Uricase‐POD). Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels were determined by latex agglutination turbidimetry. The estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was calculated using the Japanese GFR equation: eGFR (mL/min/1.73 m2) = 194 × Cr−1.094 × age−0.287 (×0.739 if female).17 Chronic kidney disease (CKD) was diagnosed as eGFR <60 mL/min/1.73 m2 based on the Japanese guideline.
Participants were asked to complete a self‐administered questionnaire that addressed healthy lifestyle characteristics (alcohol consumption, smoking behavior) and present medical history of comorbidities such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, hyperuricemia, cardiovascular disease, cerebrovascular disease, and renal disease. Participants who answered that they had any of these comorbidities were registered as having a present medical history.