Association between monocyte to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio and kidney stone: insights from NHANES

Purpose The ratio of monocyte to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (MHR) has surfaced as a novel biomarker indicative of inflammation and oxidative stress. The aim of our study was to evaluate the association between MHR and the risk of kidney stones. Methods This study analyzed data from individuals aged 20-79 who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) between 2007 and 2018. The MHR was assessed as the exposure variable, while a self-reported history of kidney stones was used as the outcome variable. The independent relationship between MHR and the risk of kidney stones was thoroughly evaluated. Results This study included 28,878 participants, and as the quartile range of the MHR increased, the proportion of kidney stones also rose progressively (7.20% to 8.89% to 10.88% to 12.05%, P <0.001). After adjusting for confounding factors, MHR was independently associated with an increased risk of kidney stones (OR=1.31, 95%CI=1.11-1.54, P =0.001), also independent of some common inflammatory indices. Subgroup analysis suggested that the relationship between MHR and kidney stones was more pronounced in female and individuals aged 20-49. Further restricted cubic spline (RCS) analysis indicated a nonlinear relationship between MHR and the risk of kidney stones. Conclusion Our results indicate a positive correlation between MHR and an increased risk of kidney stones in US adults, underscoring the need for further large-scale prospective cohort studies to validate these findings.