Association between red cell distribution width-to-albumin ratio and all-cause mortality in critically ill cirrhotic patients with sepsis: a retrospective analysis of the MIMIC-IV database

BackgroundCritically ill cirrhotic patients are at high risk of infections, which are associated with significantly increased mortality. The red cell distribution width-to-albumin ratio (RAR) is a validated predictor of mortality in critically ill patients. However, the prognostic value of RAR in cr...

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Main Authors: Jinfeng Li, Shifeng Pang, Huiya Huang, Yangni Lu, Tingting Tang, Jianlin Wu, Maowei Chen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-06-01
Series:Frontiers in Medicine
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmed.2025.1610726/full
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author Jinfeng Li
Shifeng Pang
Huiya Huang
Yangni Lu
Tingting Tang
Jianlin Wu
Maowei Chen
author_facet Jinfeng Li
Shifeng Pang
Huiya Huang
Yangni Lu
Tingting Tang
Jianlin Wu
Maowei Chen
author_sort Jinfeng Li
collection DOAJ
description BackgroundCritically ill cirrhotic patients are at high risk of infections, which are associated with significantly increased mortality. The red cell distribution width-to-albumin ratio (RAR) is a validated predictor of mortality in critically ill patients. However, the prognostic value of RAR in critically ill cirrhotic patients with sepsis has not been fully established.MethodsThis study retrospectively analyzed data from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care (MIMIC-IV) database. Patients were stratified into quartiles based on RAR values. The primary outcomes were 30-day and 365-day all-cause mortality. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis and multivariable Cox regression models were applied to assess the association between RAR and mortality. Restricted cubic spline (RCS) analysis confirmed a linear relationship and subgroup analyses explored potential interactions.ResultsA total of 2,100 patients were included. Elevated RAR values were significantly associated with increased 30-day and 365-day all-cause mortality. Compared with the lowest quartile, patients in the highest RAR quartile had a 51% higher risk of 30-day mortality [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.51, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.19–1.92) and a 51% higher risk of 365-day mortality (HR = 1.51, 95% CI: 1.25–1.81). RCS analysis confirmed a significant linear relationship between RAR and mortality risk. Subgroup analyses showed a stronger association between RAR and mortality in elderly patients.ConclusionIn critically ill cirrhotic patients with sepsis, elevated RAR values are independently associated with increased all-cause mortality risk. This study highlights the potential of RAR as a prognostic biomarker, particularly in elderly patients.
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spelling doaj-art-a003af83dabe40058a7141e387b29db02025-08-20T02:20:41ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Medicine2296-858X2025-06-011210.3389/fmed.2025.16107261610726Association between red cell distribution width-to-albumin ratio and all-cause mortality in critically ill cirrhotic patients with sepsis: a retrospective analysis of the MIMIC-IV databaseJinfeng Li0Shifeng Pang1Huiya Huang2Yangni Lu3Tingting Tang4Jianlin Wu5Maowei Chen6Department of Infectious Diseases, Wuming Hospital Affiliated to Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, ChinaDepartment of Cardiology, Minzu Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning, Guangxi, ChinaDepartment of General Medicine, Wuming Hospital Affiliated to Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, ChinaDepartment of Infectious Diseases, Wuming Hospital Affiliated to Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, ChinaDepartment of Infectious Diseases, Wuming Hospital Affiliated to Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, ChinaDepartment of Infectious Diseases, Wuming Hospital Affiliated to Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, ChinaDepartment of Infectious Diseases, Wuming Hospital Affiliated to Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, ChinaBackgroundCritically ill cirrhotic patients are at high risk of infections, which are associated with significantly increased mortality. The red cell distribution width-to-albumin ratio (RAR) is a validated predictor of mortality in critically ill patients. However, the prognostic value of RAR in critically ill cirrhotic patients with sepsis has not been fully established.MethodsThis study retrospectively analyzed data from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care (MIMIC-IV) database. Patients were stratified into quartiles based on RAR values. The primary outcomes were 30-day and 365-day all-cause mortality. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis and multivariable Cox regression models were applied to assess the association between RAR and mortality. Restricted cubic spline (RCS) analysis confirmed a linear relationship and subgroup analyses explored potential interactions.ResultsA total of 2,100 patients were included. Elevated RAR values were significantly associated with increased 30-day and 365-day all-cause mortality. Compared with the lowest quartile, patients in the highest RAR quartile had a 51% higher risk of 30-day mortality [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.51, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.19–1.92) and a 51% higher risk of 365-day mortality (HR = 1.51, 95% CI: 1.25–1.81). RCS analysis confirmed a significant linear relationship between RAR and mortality risk. Subgroup analyses showed a stronger association between RAR and mortality in elderly patients.ConclusionIn critically ill cirrhotic patients with sepsis, elevated RAR values are independently associated with increased all-cause mortality risk. This study highlights the potential of RAR as a prognostic biomarker, particularly in elderly patients.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmed.2025.1610726/fullcirrhosissepsisall-cause mortalityred cell distribution width-to-albumin ratio (RAR)prognosis
spellingShingle Jinfeng Li
Shifeng Pang
Huiya Huang
Yangni Lu
Tingting Tang
Jianlin Wu
Maowei Chen
Association between red cell distribution width-to-albumin ratio and all-cause mortality in critically ill cirrhotic patients with sepsis: a retrospective analysis of the MIMIC-IV database
Frontiers in Medicine
cirrhosis
sepsis
all-cause mortality
red cell distribution width-to-albumin ratio (RAR)
prognosis
title Association between red cell distribution width-to-albumin ratio and all-cause mortality in critically ill cirrhotic patients with sepsis: a retrospective analysis of the MIMIC-IV database
title_full Association between red cell distribution width-to-albumin ratio and all-cause mortality in critically ill cirrhotic patients with sepsis: a retrospective analysis of the MIMIC-IV database
title_fullStr Association between red cell distribution width-to-albumin ratio and all-cause mortality in critically ill cirrhotic patients with sepsis: a retrospective analysis of the MIMIC-IV database
title_full_unstemmed Association between red cell distribution width-to-albumin ratio and all-cause mortality in critically ill cirrhotic patients with sepsis: a retrospective analysis of the MIMIC-IV database
title_short Association between red cell distribution width-to-albumin ratio and all-cause mortality in critically ill cirrhotic patients with sepsis: a retrospective analysis of the MIMIC-IV database
title_sort association between red cell distribution width to albumin ratio and all cause mortality in critically ill cirrhotic patients with sepsis a retrospective analysis of the mimic iv database
topic cirrhosis
sepsis
all-cause mortality
red cell distribution width-to-albumin ratio (RAR)
prognosis
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmed.2025.1610726/full
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