Association Between Triglyceride–Glucose Index and the Risk of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in an Older Chinese Population Aged Over 75 Years

Abstract

BackgroundThe association between the triglyceride–glucose (TyG) index and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in older adults has not been fully understood. This research aims to explore the association between the TyG index and the incidence of T2DM in an older Chinese population aged over 75 years.MethodsThis longitudinal analysis study was performed based on a database from a health check screening program in China. The participants were stratified based on the quintile ranges of the TyG index (Q1 to Q5 groups). T2DM was defined as fasting plasma glucose (FPG) ≥ 7.00 mmol/L and/or self-reported T2DM. The cumulative incidences of T2DM in various quintile groups were estimated by the Kaplan–Meier method. The Cox proportional hazard model was used to examine the independent impact of the TyG index on the risk of T2DM during the follow-up period. Subgroup analysis was performed by gender and BMI to further validate the credibility of the results.ResultsDuring the follow-up period, a total of 231 new-onset T2DM cases were recorded among the 2,571 individuals aged over 75 years. After adjusting confounding factors, elevated TyG index independently indicated a higher risk of T2DM (HR = 1.89; 95% CI, 1.47–2.44; p < 0.01). Higher TyG index quintile groups (Q3 to Q5) also presented with a higher risk of T2DM (hazard ratio (HR) = 1.36, 1.44, and 2.12, respectively) as compared with the lowest quintile group (Q1). Subgroup analysis showed that increased TyG index led to a higher risk of T2DM with HR = 2.35 (95% CI, 1.73–3.19), 1.90 (95% CI, 1.27–2.83), 2.95 (95% CI, 1.94–4.50), and 1.72 (95% CI, 1.25–2.35) in male subgroup, female subgroup, BMI < 24 kg/m2 subgroup, and BMI ≥ 24 kg/m2 subgroup, respectively.ConclusionsTriglyceride–glucose index independently correlated with the risk of incident T2DM in Chinese adults aged over 75 years. The TyG index might be useful in monitoring T2DM in the older populations.

Association of four lipid-derived indicators with the risk of developing type 2 diabetes: a Chinese population-based cohort study

“…The optimal thresholds for predicting the risk of T2D in males and females were 8.76 and 8.64, respectively, consistent with this study. Similarly, Fu et al showed that TyG could better predict T2D risk compared to TG/HDL in the older Chinese population [ 23 ], thereby supporting this study.…”

Association of triglyceride-glucose index trajectory and frailty in urban older residents: evidence from the 10-year follow-up in a cohort study

“…The triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index, conveniently calculated by triglyceride and fasting glucose levels, has been regarded as a good alternative surrogate marker for the established parameters of IR [ 7 ]. Accumulating evidence indicated that the TyG index is associated with cardiovascular and metabolic risk, predominantly cardiovascular disease [ 8 – 11 ], type 2 diabetes mellitus [ 12 ], stroke [ 13 , 14 ], arterial stiffness [ 11 , 15 , 16 ], vascular damage [ 17 , 18 ] and even death [ 19 ]. Recently, a few studies reported that a higher TyG index was also associated with an increased risk of sarcopenia or low muscle mass in older populations [ 20 – 22 ].…”

The health-related quality of life among the elderly in northwest China

“…The related diseases brought by obesity and the in uence of obesity on subjective health may be the mechanism of the obesity-HRQoL association. The long-term impact of obesity on health is multi-sided, and it is involved in the pathogenesis of chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia, which coordinate with various diseases and indirectly affect health status and HRQoL [44].…”