The inverse associations between LDL-C and infection-related mortality remained statistically significant after adjustment for demographics (HR: 0.75; 95% CI: 0.68–0.83; Fig. 4, model 1), demographics plus diabetic status (HR: 0.77; 95% CI: 0.70–0.86; Fig. 4, model 2), demographics, plus diabetes, creatinine (HR; 0.78; 95% CI: 0.70–0.86; Fig. 4, model 3), and in the fully adjusted model (HR: 0.83; 95% CI: 0.75–0.91; Fig. 4, model 6), although there was some attenuation in the protective effect after adjusting for creatinine and albumin. The gene discussed is ALB; the disease is diabetes mellitus.