Statistical analysis
For the baseline characteristics, categorical variables are reported as frequencies and percentages, while continuous variables are reported as mean values (SD) for normally distributed variables, and medians and interquartile ranges (IQRs) for variables with a skewed distribution. The correlations between the different biomarkers and between different time points were estimated using the Spearman rank order correlation. The associations were considered weak, moderate, or strong if the correlation coefficient (rho) was >0.10, >0.40, or >0.70, respectively [