Demographics of study population (N = 537).

abody mass index. Data available on 390 patients.balcoholism was diagnosed or patient had previously been treated for alcohol-induced disease.cplasma creatinine concentration constantly more than 170 µmol/l (5 patients had chronic dialysis treatment).dcontinuous medication for cardiovascular disease (i.e. hypertension, arteriosclerosis or other cardiovascular disease).econtinuous medication for asthma or COPD.fjoint or heart valve prosthesis or pace-maker (does not include dental implants).gcontinuous medication for a chronic disease.hcontinuous systemic cortisone treatment (daily dose more than 10 mg of oral prednisolone).iBlood cultures were taken from 536 patients.