Evidence mapPaperPMID 40301760Full record

ArticleBMC gastroenterology2025

Association between the red blood cell distribution width-to-albumin ratio and risk of colorectal and gastric cancers: a cross-sectional study using NHANES 2005-2018.

Jie Luo, Peng Zhu, Shiji Zhou

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMC gastroenterology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 6 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
6citing papers in PubMed
field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

6 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
  3. Article
  4. Article
  5. Article
  6. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

3 authors.

Jie LuoDepartment of Gastrointestinal Surgery, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.
Peng ZhuDepartment of Gastrointestinal Surgery, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.
Shiji ZhouDepartment of Gastrointestinal Surgery, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China. zhoushiji@hospital.cqmu.edu.cn.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThe red blood cell distribution width-to-albumin ratio (RAR) is a novel biomarker that concurrently reflects nutritional status and inflammation. Unlike traditional cancer risk markers that focus on either inflammation or nutrition independently, RAR provides a more integrated assessment of these interrelated processes, making it a promising tool for cancer risk prediction. This study aims to investigate the relationship between RAR and the risk of digestive tract tumors (DTT), with particular emphasis on colorectal cancer (CC) and gastric cancer (GC).

methodsThis study explored the relationship between RAR and the risk of DTT using data from 32,953 participants in the 2005-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Although weighted multivariate logistic regression models were used to adjust for potential confounders, residual confounding and selection bias may still affect the accuracy and generalizability of the findings, potentially influencing causal inferences. Additionally, subgroup analyses, interaction tests, and restricted cubic splines were performed to further examine potential associations. A two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis was also conducted to investigate the causal relationship between RAR and DTT.

resultsAmong the participants, 234 were diagnosed with DTT, including 215 cases of CC and 19 cases of GC. Higher RAR levels were significantly associated with an increased risk of CC (OR = 1.48, 95% CI = 1.04-2.11, P < 0.027), but not with GC (OR = 1.33, 95% CI = 0.45-3.94, P = 0.60). A non-linear association between RAR and CC was also observed. Mendelian randomization analysis indicated that albumin was negatively associated with CC risk (OR = 0.84, 95% CI = 0.73-0.97), while erythrocyte distribution width (RDW) showed no significant association.

conclusionThis study reveals a significant association between RAR and colorectal cancer (CC) risk, indicating that RAR may serve as a valuable biomarker for risk stratification. For individuals with abnormal RAR values, the integration of supplementary screening tools-such as fecal occult blood testing, colonoscopy, or additional biomarkers-could enhance early detection rates for CC. This strategy would allow healthcare providers to more effectively identify high-risk individuals and tailor personalized prevention strategies.

Indexed as

Colorectal NeoplasmsErythrocyte IndicesSerum AlbuminStomach NeoplasmsAdultAgedCross-Sectional StudiesFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedNutrition SurveysRisk FactorsSerum AlbuminBiomarkerCancer screeningColorectal cancerGastric cancerInflammationMendelian randomizationNHANESNutritionPredictive biomarker

Identifiers

PMID40301760
PMCPMC12042377

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.