The elevated lactate dehydrogenase to albumin ratio is a risk factor for developing sepsis-associated acute kidney injury: a single-center retrospective study

Abstract

Abstract Background There is no evidence to determine the association between the lactate dehydrogenase to albumin ratio (LAR) and the development of sepsis-associated acute kidney injury (SAKI). We aimed to investigate the predictive impact of LAR for SAKI in patients with sepsis. Methods A total of 4,087 patients with sepsis from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care IV (MIMIC IV) database were included. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify the association between LAR and the risk of developing SAKI, and the relationship was visualized using restricted cubic spline (RCS). The clinical predictive value of LAR was evaluated by ROC curve analysis. Subgroup analysis was used to search for interactive factors. Results The LAR level was markedly increased in the SAKI group (p < 0.001). There was a positive linear association between LAR and the risk of developing SAKI (p for nonlinearity = 0.867). Logistic regression analysis showed an independent predictive value of LAR for developing SAKI. The LAR had moderate clinical value, with an AUC of 0.644. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) was identified as an independent interactive factor. The predictive value of LAR for the development of SAKI disappeared in those with a history of CKD but remained in those without CKD. Conclusions Elevated LAR 12 h before and after the diagnosis of sepsis is an independent risk factor for the development of SAKI in patients with sepsis. Chronic comorbidities, especially the history of CKD, should be taken into account when using LAR to predict the development of AKI in patients with sepsis.