Baseline characteristics of the study and validation groups.

Mean values with standard deviations are given, unless otherwise specified. * CC homozygotes vs. G-allele carriers. ^ derivation vs. validation group. #Smoking status in the derivation group was available in 453 patients (in 213 CC homozygotes and 240 G-allele carriers). It was available in all patients from the validation group. NA- data not available. Baseline characteristics of the study and validation groups.