Association between the atherogenic index of plasma and chronic kidney disease: an evaluation of an adult population of American patients with diabetes mellitus

Atherogenic index of plasma (AIP), as a low-cost and easily accessible biomarker of inflammation, has attracted much attention in various disease studies in recent years. Specifically, existing research has suggested AIP index is an important marker of insulin resistance and a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease, indicating its potential relevance to diabetic complications. However, few studies have investigated association between AIP and chronic kidney disease (CKD) in the diabetic population. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between AIP and the risk of CKD in patients with diabetes mellitus. A cross-sectional analysis of 2005-2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data was conducted. AIP was categorized into quartiles, and weighted multivariate logistic regression and restricted cubic splines were used to assess associations. Subgroup analyses and interaction tests were performed. Among 2726 diabetic patients, 38.51% had CKD. After adjusting for confounders, AIP was positively associated with CKD (OR = 1.31, 95% CI 1.04 to 1.65, <i>p</i> = 0.025). The highest AIP quartile showed a 2.12-fold increased CKD risk (95% CI 1.26 to 3.55, <i>p</i> = 0.005). A linear relationship was confirmed, and subgroup analyses showed consistent associations. This study has shown that increased AIP index increases the risk of developing CKD in diabetic patients. AIP may be a potential marker to predict CKD, emphasizing early intervention to reduce the likelihood of developing CKD.