Evidence mapPaperPMID 40323962Full record

ArticlePloS one2025

Elevated urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio as a risk factor for cognitive impairment in older adults: A cross-sectional analysis of NHANES data.

Yubo Teng, Jingyi Zhang, Boxiang Yang, Qin Luo, Yu Xue, Miao Zhang

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in PloS one, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing 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

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. 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

6 authors.

Yubo TengHeilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, China.
Jingyi ZhangHeilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, China.
Boxiang YangHeilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, China.
Qin LuoHeilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, China.
Yu XueHeilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, China.
Miao ZhangThe Second Hospital Affiliated of Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, China.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4421-7100

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundCognitive impairment is an escalating challenge in aging populations, with risk factors extending beyond traditional domains. The urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR), a marker of kidney and vascular health, has been associated with systemic dysfunction, yet its association with cognitive impairment remains underexplored. This study aims to delve into the association between UACR and cognitive function in older adults.

methodsThis study conducted a cross-sectional analysis using data from the 2011-2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), including 2,385 adults aged ≥60 years. Cognitive function was assessed using composite 'Cognitive Scores' derived from standardized tests. Participants were categorized into quartiles based on UACR levels. Multivariate linear regression models were used to evaluate the association between UACR and cognitive scores. Additionally, multivariate logistic regression models were used to assess the relationship between UACR and cognitive impairment, adjusting for demographic and clinical covariates. Smooth curve fitting and interaction analyses were also performed to further investigate the relationship between UACR and cognitive impairment.

resultsFor every 10-unit increase in UACR, cognitive scores declined by 0.019 (β = -0.019, 95% CI: -0.036 to -0.002; P < 0.05), and the odds of cognitive impairment increased by 2.6% (OR = 1.026, 95% CI: 1.004 to 1.048; P < 0.05). This trend was also observed in participants with UACR levels below 30, where for every 10-unit increase in UACR, cognitive scores decreased by 0.013 (β = -0.013, 95% CI: -0.027 to -0.001; P < 0.05), and the odds of cognitive impairment increased by 1.4% (OR = 1.014, 95% CI: 1.003 to 1.038; P < 0.05). The study also identified a nonlinear relationship, where the risk of cognitive impairment increased with rising UACR levels, but this risk plateaued at a UACR value of 12.86. Hypertension was found to be a significant factor influencing the relationship between UACR and cognitive impairment (P for interaction < 0.05).

conclusionThis study highlights the significant association between elevated UACR and cognitive impairment in older adults. Notably, even at lower UACR levels, increases in UACR are associated with a higher risk of cognitive impairment. These findings underscore the importance of incorporating kidney health management into strategies aimed at preventing cognitive decline. Further longitudinal studies are needed to clarify the causal relationship and explore interventions targeting UACR to preserve cognitive function.

Indexed as

AlbuminuriaCognitive DysfunctionCreatinineAgedAged, 80 and overBiomarkersCross-Sectional StudiesFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedNutrition SurveysRisk FactorsBiomarkersCreatinine

Identifiers

PMID40323962
PMCPMC12052149

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
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.