Monocyte to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio as a marker of the presence and progression of diabetic kidney disease.

Background: Monocyte to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (MHR) is considered a novel marker of inflammation. However, whether MHR can predict the risk of diabetic kidney disease (DKD) remains uncertain. Our research aimed to investigate the relationship between MHR and DKD.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional retrospective study of 159 participants with type 2 diabetes mellitus. MHR, urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) and other indexes were measured. According to UACR, participants were divided into normal group (UACR < 30 mg/g), moderately increased group (UACR 30-300 mg/g) and severely increased group (UACR > 300 mg/g). The association between MHR and DKD was analyzed.

Results: MHR was significantly elevated in severely increased albuminuria group ( 0.029). The prevalence of DKD increased in parallel with the elevation in MHR ( = 0.009). MHR was positively related with DKD in univariate logistic regression analysis (ORs = 11.27, 95%CI 1.26-101.24,  = 0.031). Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed MHR significantly correlated with DKD (ORs = 6.20, 95%CI 1.49-25.84,  = 0.012). Each quartile elevation in MHR was associated with an increased risk of DKD (ORs = 1.90, 95%CI 1.19-3.01,  = 0.007). In subgroup analyses MHR was a risk factor for DKD, particularly in patients with HbA1c <8.0%.

Conclusions: Our findings suggest that MHR can be used as a marker for the presence and progression of DKD.