This study aims to explore the potential value of the lactate dehydrogenase to albumin ratio (LAR) in predicting 28-day mortality in patients with severe pneumonia and to develop a predictive model using machine learning techniques.<h4>Methods</h4>This retrospective cohort study included patients with severe pneumonia admitted to the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, from January 2020 to May 2025. Here, ALB is linked to pneumonia.