C-reactive protein-to-albumin ratio and 8-year incidence of type 2 diabetes: the Korean genome and epidemiology study

Abstract

Aims: The C-reactive protein-to-albumin ratio (CAR) has been reported as a novel prognostic marker in serious illness and various inflammatory diseases. The aim of this study is to investigate the association of CAR with incidence risk of type 2 diabetes in adults without chronic disease.

Methods: A total of 5904 participants aged 40 to 69 years were selected from the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study who were observed over 12 years. Multivariable logistic regression was analyzed to examine the relationship between CAR tertiles and incident diabetes. The predictive power of new-onset diabetes by CAR and homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) were also measured using the random forest model.

Results: During a mean follow-up period of 7.6 years, 701 subjects (11.9%) developed diabetes. Compared with the lowest CAR group, the highest CAR group was associated with incidence of diabetes (OR 1.60; 95% CI 1.24-1.89) after adjustment for other potential confounding factors. In the random forest model, CAR did not show a significant difference in prediction of new-onset diabetes compared with HOMA-IR (p = 0.561).

Conclusions: CAR, which is a ratio of commonly used biomarkers and reflects both oxidative stress and antioxidants, is suggested as a predictor of incident diabetes.