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Meta-Analysis
. 2023 Mar 10;102(10):e33194.
doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000033194.

Association between the triglyceride-glucose index and arterial stiffness: A meta-analysis

Huiqin Zhong  1 , Ya Shao  2 , Guangling Guo  2 , Yan Zhan  3 , Bin Liu  4 , Meiling Shao  4 , Longti Li  3
Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

Association between the triglyceride-glucose index and arterial stiffness: A meta-analysis

Huiqin Zhong et al. Medicine (Baltimore). .

Abstract

Background: Studies have shown a strong association between the triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index, a simple marker of insulin resistance, and various metabolic diseases. We performed a systematic review of the interaction between the TyG index and arterial stiffness.

Methods: Relevant observational studies assessing the association between the TyG index and arterial stiffness were thoroughly searched in PubMed, Embase, and Scopus, and a manual search of the preprint server was conducted. A random-effects model was utilized to analyze the data. The risk of bias for the included studies was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. A pooled effect size estimate with a random-effects model was used for the meta-analysis.

Results: Thirteen observational studies comprising 48,332 subjects were included. Of these, 2 were prospective cohort studies, and the remaining 11 were cross-sectional studies. According to the results of the analysis, the risk of developing high arterial stiffness was 1.85 times greater for those in the highest TyG index subgroup versus the lowest group (risk ratio [RR]: 1.85, 95% confidence interval: 1.54-2.33, I2 = 70%, P < .001). Consistent results were observed when the index was analyzed as a continuous variable (RR: 1.46, 95% confidence interval: 1.32-1.61, I2 = 77%, P < .001). A sensitivity analysis excluding each of the studies one by one yielded similar results (RRs for categorical variables: 1.67-1.94, P all <.001; RRs for continuous variables: 1.37-1.48, P all <.001). A subgroup analysis showed that different characteristics of the study subjects, such as type of study design, age, population, disease status, (including hypertension and diabetes), and pulse wave velocity measurement methods had no substantial effect on the results (P for subgroup analysis, all >0.05).

Conclusions: A relatively high TyG index might be linked to an increased incidence of arterial stiffness.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Flowchart of literature selection and screening process.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Forest plots of the risk ratio for arterial stiffness associated with the TyG index. (A) Categorical variable. (B) Continuous variable. CI = confidence interval, RR = risk ratio, TyG = triglyceride-glucose.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Funnel plots of the relationship between the TyG index and arterial stiffness. (A) Categorical variable. (B) Continuous variable. RR = risk ratio, TyG = triglyceride-glucose.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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