|Table 1: Baseline characteristics of patients with high-normal and low-normal body lead burden at the beginning of the observation period*.|
*A high-normal body lead burden was defined as a lead value of at least 80 g (0.39 μmol) but less than 600 μg (2.9 μmol) and a low-normal body lead burden as a lead value less than 80 μg (0.39 μmol).|
† values were calculated by Fisher’s Chi-square test, except in the comparisons of age, body-mass index, serum creatinine, creatinine clearance, glomerular filtration rate, blood lead level, and body lead burden, which were calculated by Student’s -test.
‡To convert values for serum creatinine to micromoles per liter, multiply by 88.4.
⊙Modified equation for glomerular filtration rate of Chinese diabetic patients.
#To convert values for lead to micromoles per liter, multiply by 0.04286.
∧Hyperlipidemia was defined as a serum cholesterol level above 240 mg per deciliter (6.2 mmol per liter) after diet control.
∥Hypertension was defined by the presence of at least two blood-pressure measurements above 140/90 mmHg in patients.
Cardiovascular diseases included ischemic heart disease, congestive heart failure, stroke, and diabetic foot.