Association between riboflavin intake and the risk of all-cause mortality of patients with chronic kidney disease: A retrospective cohort study

Abstract Background: The association between riboflavin intake and all-cause mortality of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) has not been reported. This study aimed to explore whether riboflavin intake was associated with the risk of all-cause mortality in CKD patients. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study based on the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) database. The association between riboflavin intakeand the risk of all-cause mortality was assessed using Cox regression analysis, with results shown as hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). Subgroup analysis was performed based on gender, CKD stage, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Results: A total of 3,750 patients were finally included for analysis. After potential confounders, lower intake of riboflavin was found to be associated with the higher risk of all-cause mortality (Q1: HR = 1.33, 95% CI: 1.05-1.69). The similar association was also found in patients at mild/moderate stage (HR = 1.32, 95% CI: 1.05-1.66), in female (HR = 1.35, 95% CI: 1.01-1.81), with hypertension (HR = 1.37, 95% CI: 1.07-1.75), CVD (HR = 1.48, 95% CI: 1.08-2.03), and dyslipidemia (HR = 1.29, 95% CI: 1.01-1.66). Conclusions: This study found the association between low riboflavin intake and high risk of all-cause mortality in CKD patients, indicating a potential beneficial role of riboflavin in CKD patients.