Lipid accumulation product index is inversely U-shaped associated with abdominal aortic calcification based on NHANES 2013-2014.

Background: In this study, we explored the correlation between lipid accumulation product (LAP) and abdominal aortic calcification (AAC).

Methods: Data collected from 2013-2014 were obtained from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) database. We utilized weighted univariate and multivariate regression analyses to assess the correlation between ln-LAP (LAP was transformed using a natural logarithm) and AAC. Further, subgroup analyses, smoothed curve fitting, and sensitivity analysis were implemented.

Results: The study included 2,965 participants, with a mean ln-LAP index of 3.95 ± 0.83. Following adjustment for all covariates, multiple regression analyses indicated that ln-LAP, when modeled as a quadratic categorical variable, was significantly positively associated with AAC in Q3 (OR = 1.91; 95% CI: 1.20, 3.04, P < 0.001) compared to the Q1, and similarly, with severe abdominal aortic calcification (SAAC) in Q4 (OR = 2.17; 95% CI: 1.08, 4.35, P < 0.05). Conversely, Q2, Q3, and Q4 did not exhibit significant positive correlations with AAC scores (P > 0.05). Smoothed curve fitting revealed a nonlinear relationship between ln-LAP and AAC, characterized by an inverse U-shaped curve. Threshold effect analysis identified an inflection point at 4.21. Before this point, a marked positive correlation existed between ln-LAP and AAC (OR=1.74); beyond this point, a pronounced negative correlation was observed (OR=0.60). Subgroup analyses revealed no significant interactions regarding the correlation across age, sex, hypertension, and diabetes groups (P interaction >0.05).

Conclusions: This research reveals a significant inverse U-shaped correlation between LAP and the prevalence of AAC, implying that LAP could serve as a potential biomarker for evaluating AAC risk.