The Role of Neutrophil Percentage-to-Albumin Ratio in Cardiovascular Disease-Psychological Distress Comorbidity: An Observational Study

Background: Inflammation plays a crucial role in regulating the onset, progression, and outcomes of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and psychological distress. The neutrophil percentage-to-albumin ratio (NPAR) has recently been reported as an inflammatory factor. We aimed to assess the role of NPAR in CVD-psychological distress comorbidity. Methods: Data for the current study were obtained from a cross-sectional research project based in Beijing. All participants were aged ≥ 18 years and completed the questionnaire and hematological examination. Data on CVD, psychological distress, and NPAR were collected. Psychological distress was defined as symptoms of depression combined with anxiety. Univariate and multiple logistic regression analyses were used to assess the relationship between the NPAR and psychological distress. Results: A total of 3,695 participants (median age, 39 years; 55.67% males) were enrolled in the study. The incidence rates of CVD, psychological distress, and CVD-psychological distress comorbidity were 16.86%, 6.90%, and 1.35%, respectively. NPAR was a significant risk factor for psychological distress after adjusting for other risk factors in all participants (odds ratio [OR] 4.043, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.083–7.851; P < 0.001), patients with CVD (OR 7.284, 95% CI 1.428–37.161; P = 0.017), and non-CVD participants (OR 4.896, 95% CI 2.403–9.973; P < 0.001). Conclusion: NPAR was associated with psychological distress in all participants, including patients with CVD and participants without CVD. The risk of psychological distress associated with NPAR was higher in participants with CVD than in those without CVD.