The association between high atherogenic index of plasma and impaired lung function: a population-based study

TL;DR

High atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) is linked to worse lung function, especially in women, suggesting it could help assess lung health.

Contribution

This study reveals a novel sex-specific non-linear relationship between AIP and lung function in a large population.

Findings

Elevated AIP is independently associated with reduced FEV1 and FVC lung function metrics.

Females show a U-shaped non-linear decline in lung function at specific AIP thresholds.

Males exhibit a consistent negative correlation between AIP and lung function across all levels.

Abstract

Although AIP is a recognized cardiovascular risk marker, its association with pulmonary function and sex-specific differences remains unclear. This study investigated whether elevated AIP is independently associated with reduced lung function and examined potential sex-specific patterns.

Data from 4,565 participants in the NHANES 2007–2012 dataset were analyzed using a cross-sectional design. AIP served as the exposure variable, with five lung function metrics (including FEV1, FVC, and FEV1/FVC ratio) as outcomes. Weighted multiple linear regression, threshold effect analysis, subgroup comparisons, and XGBoost modeling were performed to assess associations.

Multivariable regression showed a significant negative association between AIP and FEV1 (β = −121.3 mL/unit, p < 0.001) and FVC (β = −147.1 mL/unit, p < 0.001), with no significant link to FEV1/FVC ratio. Subgroup analysis revealed a U-shaped non-linear association in females, with inflection points at AIP values of 0.77 (FEV1) and 0.78 (FVC), beyond which declines in lung function plateaued. Males exhibited a consistent negative correlation across all AIP levels.

Elevated AIP is independently associated with reduced lung function, particularly non-linear effects in females. These findings support AIP as a potential adjunct marker for pulmonary function assessment in clinical practice.

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