Association between albuminuria and arterial stiffness measured by brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity among Chinese population: A retrospective study.

Albuminuria, a hallmark of early kidney damage, has been increasingly recognized for its association with cardiovascular morbidity. Similarly, arterial stiffness (quantified by brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity [baPWV]) serves as an indicator of vascular health. The 2 conditions may be interconnected through shared pathophysiological mechanisms, with endothelial dysfunction playing a central role. This retrospective study aimed to investigate the association between albuminuria and arterial stiffness measured by baPWV in a Chinese health checkup population. We retrospectively analyzed data from 5025 adults who underwent health examinations between 2013 and 2014. Albuminuria was defined as an albumin-to-creatinine ratio ≥30 mg/g, and arterial stiffness as baPWV ≥1400 cm/s. Logistic regression models were used to evaluate the association between baPWV and albuminuria, adjusting for confounders including age, sex, and metabolic indicators. Participants with albuminuria exhibited significantly higher body mass index, waist circumference, blood pressure, triglycerides, fasting plasma glucose, and baPWV values compared to those without albuminuria (P < .001). Elevated baPWV was independently associated with increased odds of albuminuria (adjusted odds ratio 1.66, 95% confidence interval: 1.18-2.33, P = .004). Waist-to-height ratio, mean arterial pressure, and fasting glucose were also significant predictors of albuminuria. Albuminuria is independently associated with increased arterial stiffness in a Chinese health checkup population. Prospective studies are warranted to explore causality and therapeutic implications.