Clinical variables

The following clinical data were obtained from the clinical records of all the patients: age, sex, body mass index (BMI), and the presence of atherosclerotic risk factors, including hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, current smoking, and past history of stroke. Cancer‐related data, including type of cancer, cancer treatment, and the presence of systemic metastases, were also obtained. All the patients had baseline blood samples drawn at admission, and the samples were analyzed for the following: white blood cell count, total lymphocyte count, platelet count, and levels of hemoglobin, D‐dimer, high sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hsCRP), albumin, and total cholesterol. Nutritional status was assessed using controlling nutritional status (CONUT) score. The CONUT is an automated malnutrition screening system calculated by using serum albumin, total cholesterol, and total lymphocyte counts, and scoring (maximum 12 points) is as follows: 0–4 points, low risk; 5–8 points, moderate risk; and 9–12 points, high risk.12 ^.