Association of albumin-bilirubin score with cardiovascular risk among adults in the US.

BACKGROUND

Liver dysfunction plays a significant role in cardiovascular disease (CVD), yet it lacks effective and practical clinical biomarkers for CVD screening. Albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) score, a novel liver impairment biomarker, has demonstrated significant prognostic value in heart failure.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the association between the ALBI score and cardiovascular risk.

METHODS

This nationally representative study included adults 20 years or older in age from the National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey 2001-2018. ALBI score was calculated using the formula (log10 bilirubin [umol/L] * 0.66 - 0.85 * albumin [g/dL]). Outcomes were CVD prevalence and mortality. Weighted multivariable regression analyses were performed to determine the associations between ALBI score and outcomes.

RESULTS

Data for 43194 adults were analyzed. A total of 4923 CVD were initially identified, and 1878 CVD-related deaths occurred over an average follow-up period of 8.9 years. A per standard deviation higher ALBI score was associated with an elevated CVD prevalence (OR 1.18, 95 % CI 1.13-1.23) and mortality (HR 1.25, 95 % CI 1.17-1.33). The odds ratios for CVD prevalence comparing the second or highest tertile to the lowest tertile of ALBI scores were 1.12 (95 % CI 0.99-1.26) and 1.35 (95 % CI 1.21-1.51), respectively (P for trend < 0.001). The corresponding hazard ratios for CVD mortality were 1.05 (95 % CI 0.88-1.26) and 1.31 (95 % CI 1.12-1.53), respectively (P for trend < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

A higher ALBI score was associated with an increased risk of CVD prevalence and mortality among US adults. The ALBI score of liver dysfunction may serve as an effective marker for CVD risk stratification.