To investigate the relationship between circadian syndrome (CircS) and albuminuria in adults.

A cross-sectional study design was applied, utilizing data from the American National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) conducted from 2007 to 2016. The diagnostic criteria for CircS were meeting no less than 4 of the following components: increased waist circumference, hyperglycemia, elevated triglycerides, reduced high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, hypertension, short sleep duration, and depressive symptoms. Participants were stratified into a normal group and an albuminuria group based on their albuminuria status. Weighted logistic regression and subgroup analysis were employed to investigate the association between CircS and albuminuria. A weighted logistic regression model was then used to analyze the relationship between CircS and macroalbuminuria, in order to test the sensitivity of the results.

A total of 10, 828 participants was included in this study, with a prevalence of albuminuria of 9.89%. Weighted multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that, after adjusting for confounding factors, the participants with CircS had a higher risk of albuminuria compared to those without CircS (OR=2.031, 95%CI: 1.675-2.461, P<0.01). Subgroup analysis revealed that age and gender interacted with CircS (P<0.01), potentially influencing the risk of albuminuria. Excluding those with coronary heart disease, the association between CircS and albuminuria was significant in all the subgroups (P<0.01 in all cases). Sensitivity analysis revealed that CircS was still positively associated with macroalbuminuria (OR=2.287, 95%CI: 1.419-3.688, P<0.01).

CircS was robustly associated with albuminuria in adults, indicating that CircS populations should be identified early in clinical practice, in whom albuminuria screening should be strengthened.