Association Between the Non-HDL-Cholesterol-to-HDL-Cholesterol Ratio and 28-Day Mortality in Septic Patients: A Cohort Study Based on the eICU Collaborative Research Database

Abstract Background: Dyslipidemia contributes to the development and progression of cardiovascular disease. However, the potential association between non-high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol-to-high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (nonHDLc/HDLc) ratio and mortality in septic patients is unclear.Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of patients with sepsis in the eICU Collaborative Research Database (eICU-CRD) from 208 distinct ICUs across the United States between 2014 and 2015. All-cause mortality within 28-days after ICU admission. A multivariable logistic regression model was used to estimate the risk of death.Result: Of the 724 patients with a median age of 68 years, 43 (5.94%) died within 28 days after ICU admission. The association between the nonHDLc/HDLc ratio and the risk of all cause mortality was J shaped, and a high level was associated with increased risk of all cause mortality. The mortality rate increased when the nonHDLc/HDLc ratio higher than the turning point (≥3.41) with an adjusted odds ratio (OR) of 1.34 (95% CI: 1.07–1.67, P=0.010) for every 1 increment of nonHDLc/HDLc ratio. With the per-SD increase in the nonHDLc/HDLc ratio, the OR of mortality was 1.79 (95% CI: 1.15–2.80, P=0.010) when the nonHDLc/HDLc ratio was ≥3.41. The trend of sensitivity analysis was consistent with the main analysis.Conclusion: For patients with sepsis, the association between the nonHDLc/HDLc ratio and the 28-day mortality risk was J shaped. A higher level of nonHDLc/HDLc ratio was associated with an increased risk of 28-day mortality. These findings need to be confirmed in other studies.