Triglyceride glucose index is independently associated with aortic intima-media thickness in patients without known atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease or diabetes

Abstract

Background: The triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index is a reliable marker of insulin resistance. We aimed to investigate the relationship between the TyG index and aortic intima-media thickness (IMT) in individuals without diabetes mellitus and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease undergoing transoesophageal echocardiography due to suspected structural heart disease. Methods: One hundred twenty-two patients enrolled in the study between January 2021 and June 2021. Patients were divided into two groups according to their median IMT; patients with an IMT equal to or less than 1.42 mm were low IMT group, and higher than 1.42 mm were high IMT group. Triglyceride-glucose index were higher in the high IMT group (8.69 ± 0.59 vs. 8.37 ± 0.53, p = .003). Results: Triglyceride-glucose index was correlated with IMT ( r = 0.259, p = .005) and in binary logistic regression analysis age and TyG was independently associated with having high IMT ( β = 0.076, exp(B)=1.079 95%CI = 1.041–1.118, p < .001 and β = 0.847, exp( B)= 2.334 95%CI= 1.048–5.199, p = .038, respectively). Conclusion: We found an independent relationship between TyG and IMT of the thoracic aorta, an early marker of subclinical atherosclerosis in patients without known atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease or diabetes. Therefore, the TyG index can identify high-risk subjects in the general population.