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Updated: Jan 17, 2026

Author Spotlight: Exploring the Relationship Between Lipotoxicity and HFpEF
Published on: March 29, 2024
U-shaped association between triglyceride/HDL ratio and all-cause mortality in obese sepsis patients: A retrospective
Yaozhou Wu1, Yingying Sun2, Ruirui Wang3
1Department of Clinical Laboratory, Gansu Provincial Hospital, Lanzhou 730000, P.R. China; First School of Clinical Medicine, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, P.R. China.
Objective:
This study explored the link between the TG/HDL ratio and mortality in obese sepsis patients using the eICU database.
Design:
Retrospective observational study.
Setting:
Intensive Care Medicine.
Patients:
According to Sepsis 3.0 criteria, sepsis is diagnosed with infection and a SOFA score ≥2. This study included adults (age ≥18) with ICU stays ≥48 h to ensure data stability. Patients with diabetes, acute pancreatitis, or those on lipid-lowering or antidiabetic treatments were excluded due to their impact on lipid and glucose metabolism, which could bias the analysis of the TG/HDL ratio and all-cause mortality.
Interventions:
938 obese sepsis patients were selected, and statistical methods (variable assessment, difference test, regression model, curve fitting, subgroup analysis) were used. The study was carried out using R 4.3.2 software.
Main Variables Of Interest:
TG/HDL.
Results:
The TG/HDL ratio varied across quartiles and was significantly linked to mortality in obese sepsis patients. Regression and curve fitting showed a U-shaped relationship for TG/HDL < 8, with an inflection point at 3.59. The K-M curve confirmed this U-shaped pattern, and subgroup analysis revealed a significant interaction with hypertension.
Conclusions:
A U-shaped relationship exists between TG/HDL and mortality in obese sepsis patients, with both low and high levels increasing death risk.

