Association of monocyte and lymphocyte ratio with risk of abdominal aortic calcification

Abstract

Objectives The aim of the study was to evaluate the relationship between monocyte and lymphocyte ratio (MLR) with severe AAC. Methods This cross-sectional study enrolled 3041 patients with AAC from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2013–2014. Abdominal aortic calcification detected with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry was quantified using the Kauppila score system. We measured white blood cell, neutrophil, lymphocyte counts, monocyte counts, red blood cell, calcium, 25-VitD3, and phosphorus levels in blood samples. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to examine the association between MLR (as a qualitative or quantitative variable) and severe AAC morbidity. Results Severe AAC was detected in 273 (9.0%) participants. Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that high MLR was an independent predictor of severe AAC (odds ratio [OR] 2.80, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.04–7.50; P = 0.041). Conclusions Elevated MLR levels are independently associated with higher odds for severe AAC, which can serve as a new risk factor in clinical practice.