Association between triglyceride glucose body mass index and cardiovascular disease in adults: evidence from NHANES...

The association between insulin resistance and cardiovascular diseases (CVD) is of significant interest. However, there is limited published research on the relationship between CVD and the triglyceride glucose-body mass index (TyG-BMI). This study aims to examine the association between TyG-BMI and CVD in US adults.

We analyzed data from 11016 adults collected through the 2011-2020 NHANES. Employing weighted generalized linear models, subgroup analysis, sensitivity analysis, and receiver operating characteristic curves, we examined the association between the TyG-BMI index and CVD. Nonlinear associations were investigated using restricted cubic splines.

Higher TyG-BMI values were significantly associated with an increased prevalence of CVD (P<0.001). Weighted generalized linear models consistently demonstrated a positive association across all models. Specifically, individuals in the highest tertile of TyG-BMI had a 38% higher CVD prevalence than those in the lowest quartile (OR=1.380; 95% CI=1.080, 1.763). Unweighted logistic regression models further confirmed these findings. Sex, race, education, family income to poverty ratio, smoking, hypertension, and diabetes did not modify this positive association (P for interaction >0.05). Incorporating the TyG-BMI index into traditional risk factor models marginally improved the prediction of CVD prevalence (P for comparison <0.05).

The TyG-BMI index, an indicator of insulin resistance, is significantly positive associated with a higher prevalence of CVD. These findings underscore the importance of managing insulin resistance to prevent CVD and highlight the need for further research into the underlying mechanisms of this association.