ALB and kidney disorder: Among 1,781 participants with CKD stages 2–4 from the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease Study, compared with serum bicarbonate levels ≥26 mEq/L, levels ≤20 mEq/L were associated with a higher risk of kidney failure (hazard ratio (HR) 2.22 (95% CI, 1.83-2.68)) while adjusting for demographic and cardiovascular disease factors, serum albumin, proteinuria, and cause of kidney disease [12].