**3.5 Body mass index**

BMI was calculated based on patients' height and weight, using the formula: BMI = weight(kg)/height(m)2 and interpreted as underweight (≤18.5 kg/m2 ), normal *Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, Procalcitonin, and Gut Microbiota: Players in the Same Team DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.110134*

(18.5–24.9 kg/m2 ), overweight (25.0–29.9 kg/m2 ), obese (30.0–39.9 kg/m2 ), and morbidly obese (≥40 kg/m<sup>2</sup> ).

### **3.6 Blood pressure measurements**

At least two measurements of blood pressure (BP) were taken in the morning, with patients at rest, in a sitting position, using the same standardized device (OMRON M2 HEM-7121E). The final value of BP represented the mean of these primary two measurements. The diagnostic of hypertension was made according to European guidelines [26].

### **3.7 Assessment of diabetes mellitus (DM)**

According to American Diabetes Association (ADA) criteria, a fasting plasma glucose (FPG) of 126 mg% or higher, or a 2-hour plasma glucose level of 200 mg% during 75-g oral glucose tolerance test, is consistent with the diagnosis of DM [27].

### **3.8 Assessment of dyslipidemia**

The assessment of dyslipidemia was based on the presence of abnormal concentrations of lipids or lipoproteins in the blood, resulting in low level of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), high blood levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), or high blood levels of triglycerides. In this study, the cutoffs were considered as follows: total cholesterol <200 mg%, LDL < 100 mg%, HDL > 50 mg%, and triglycerides <150 mg% [28].

### **3.9 Assessment of chronic kidney disease (CKD)**

CKD diagnosis was performed using creatinine serum level and estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR), presence of microproteinuria (30–300 mg/24 hours) and imagistic characterization of kidney [29].
