Further backward stepwise multivariable logistic regression models were established, which showed that higher RBP4 was independently associated with an increased risk of cognitive impairment in the 3rd year (odds ratio = 1.026, p = 0.047) (Supplementary Table S1) and a cognitive decline over 3 years (odds ratio = 1.030, p = 0.013) (Supplementary Table S2) in stroke patients. Here, RBP4 is linked to Cognitive impairment.