Baseline characteristics of the patients.

Data are mean ± SD, median (IQR) or frequencies (%). BMI, body mass index; CI, Confidence interval; CKD, chronic kidney disease; CAD, coronary artery disease; CVD, cerebrovascular disease; FEV1, forced expiratory volume in 1 sec; FVC, full vital capacity; PWV, carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity; CPET, cardiopulmonary exercise testing; VO2AT, anaerobic threshold; VO2peak, oxygen consumption at maximal exercise. VE/VCO2 (ventilatory efficiency) measured from the start of unloaded pedaling to maximal exercise. (1) Differences for non-continuous variables are expressed as relative frequency differences with corresponding Wilson Score confidence limits. (2) Differences for non-normal continuous variables are expressed as Hodges-Lehmann location shifts and Hodges-Lehmann confidence limits.