Relationship between red cell distribution width/albumin ratio and carotid plaque in different glucose metabolic states in patients with coronary heart disease: a RCSCD-TCM study in China

BACKGROUND: Red cell distribution width/albumin ratio (RAR) is thought to be associated with the prognosis of a variety of diseases, including diabetes and heart failure. To date, no studies have focused on the relationship between RAR and carotid plaque in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD). METHODS: A total of 10,267 patients with CHD were divided according to RAR quartiles (Q1: RAR ≤ 2.960; Q2: 2.960 < RAR ≤ 3.185; Q3: 3.185 < RAR < 3.441; Q4: RAR ≥ 3.441). Logistic regression was used to analyze the relationship between RAR and carotid plaques in CHD patients. The relationship between RAR and carotid plaques in according to sex, age and glucose regulation state groups were also assessed. RESULTS: Among the 10,267 participants, 75.43% had carotid plaques. After adjusting for confounding factors, RAR was found to be associated with carotid plaque formation (OR: 1.23; 95% CI 1.08–1.39). The risk of carotid plaque formation in the Q4 group was 1.24 times higher than that in the Q1 group. After multivariate adjustment, RAR was associated with the risk of carotid plaque in female (OR: 1.29; 95% CI 1.09–1.52). And the relationship between RAR and carotid plaques in patients younger than 60 years old (OR: 1.43; 95% CI 1.16–1.75) was stronger than that in those older than 60 years old (OR: 1.29; 95% CI 1.10–1.51). Under different glucose metabolism states, RAR had the highest correlation with the risk of carotid plaques in diabetes patients (OR: 1.28; 95% CI 1.04–1.58). CONCLUSIONS: RAR was significantly related to carotid plaques in patients with CHD. In addition, the correlation between RAR and the incidence of carotid plaque in patients with CHD was higher in women and middle-aged and elderly patients. In patients with CHD and diabetes, the correlation between RAR and carotid plaque was higher. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT: [Image: see text] SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12933-023-01768-w.