Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41387807›Full record

ArticleBMC urology2025

Association between red cell distribution width-to-albumin ratio and risk of diabetic kidney disease: a cross-sectional NHANES study.

Shangwei Zou, Yunqi Shang, Shibo Sun, Lixia Jin

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMC urology, 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

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3 · Its place in the literature

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1 citing paper in PubMed.

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Shangwei Zou *Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, 150040, China.
Yunqi Shang *Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, 150040, China.
Shibo Sun *Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, 150040, China.
Lixia JinThe Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, 150070, China. 18846111782@163.com.

Funding

China Rehabilitation Medical Association fund project KFKT-2024-006Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Heilongjiang University of Traditional Chinese Medicine talent special fund support project FSRC2024ZD02Heilongjiang Provincial Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine Research Project of Traditional Chinese MedicineHeilongjiang Provincial Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine Research Project of Traditional Chinese Medicine ZHY2024-024Heilongjiang Provincial Health Commission Research Project 20222121020963
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThe red blood cell distribution width-to-albumin ratio (RAR) is a novel hematological biomarker that integrates information on inflammation and nutritional status. While RAR has been applied in assessing risks for various chronic diseases, its association with diabetic kidney disease (DKD) remains unclear. This study aims to evaluate the relationship between RAR and the risk of DKD in diabetic patients, exploring its potential value in early risk identification.

methodsUtilizing data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) spanning 2005 to 2020, we included 7,191 eligible adult participants diagnosed with diabetes. RAR was categorized into quartiles, and weighted multivariable logistic regression along with restricted cubic spline (RCS) models were employed to assess the association between RAR levels and the prevalence of DKD. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were conducted to validate the robustness of the findings.

resultsThe RAR level was significantly higher in the DKD group compared to the non-DKD group (p < 0.001), and the prevalence of DKD increased progressively across RAR quartiles (25.20%, 30.17%, 39.34%, and 43.33%, p < 0.001). In the unadjusted model, each one-unit increase in RAR was associated with a 76.4% higher risk of DKD (OR = 1.764, 95% CI: 1.541-2.017, p < 0.001). Participants in the highest RAR quartile (Q4) had a 2.269-fold increased risk of DKD compared to those in the lowest quartile (Q1) (95% CI: 1.809-2.846, p < 0.001). RCS analysis suggested a potentially linear association between RAR and DKD risk, with no significant non-linear trend observed after adjusting for covariates (p > 0.05). Subgroup analysis revealed that the association remained consistent across most strata, although significant interactions were found for sex and BMI (P for interaction < 0.05), with stronger associations observed in males and in participants with higher BMI. Sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of these findings.

conclusionElevated RAR levels are significantly associated with increased risk of diabetic kidney disease among individuals with diabetes, suggesting its strong predictive potential. As a simple and cost-effective biomarker, RAR may serve as a useful tool for early DKD risk screening and stratification. However, prospective studies are warranted to further validate its clinical utility.

Indexed as

Diabetic NephropathiesErythrocyte IndicesSerum AlbuminAdultAgedBiomarkersCross-Sectional StudiesFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedNutrition SurveysRisk AssessmentRisk FactorsBiomarkersSerum AlbuminDiabetes mellitusDiabetic kidney diseaseNHANESRARRed cell distribution widthSerum albumin

Identifiers

PMID41387807
PMCPMC12817845

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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.