AI Insight
This study of 33,416 Chinese adults found a linear association between the triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index and microalbuminuria, an early marker of kidney damage. For each 1-unit increase in TyG index, the odds of microalbuminuria increased by 28% after adjusting for multiple health factors. The association was present in both diabetic and non-diabetic individuals, though it was significantly stronger in people with diabetes.
Why it matters
The TyG index is a simple, inexpensive calculation using routine blood test results that could help identify individuals at higher risk for early kidney damage. This could enable earlier intervention and monitoring, particularly in diabetes management and prevention of chronic kidney disease progression.
Understand the Science
by Xiaomin Lin, Xudong Huang
Background
Insulin resistance surrogates are associated with microalbuminuria; however, population-scale evidence for the triglyceride–glucose (TyG) index remains scarce. We examined the cross-sectional association between TyG index and microalbuminuria in a large Chinese cohort and explored whether diabetes modifies this link.
Methods
We analyzed 33,416 adults from eight regional centers. Microalbuminuria was defined as urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio ≥ 30 mg/g. Multivariate logistic regression and restricted cubic splines were used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) per 1-unit TyG increase and the potential nonlinear relationship between TyG index and microalbuminuria risk. The effects of diabetes and other factors were tested using interaction terms.
Results
The mean age was 57.7 ± 9.3 years, and the microalbuminuria prevalence was 14.5%. TyG index was independently associated with microalbuminuria after adjustment for age, sex, body mass index, waist, hip circumference, blood pressure, lipids, liver function indices, sleep variables, estimated glomerular filtration rate, smoking, alcohol, and diabetes (OR, 1.28; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.20–1.36; P < 0.001). Restricted cubic spline analysis demonstrated a linear association between TyG index and the odds of microalbuminuria (P for overall association < 0.001; P for non-linearity = 0.187). The association was present in participants with (OR, 1.46; 95% CI, 1.32–1.60) and without diabetes (OR, 1.13; 95% CI, 1.04–1.23). The interaction with diabetes status was significant (P < 0.001; false discovery rate-corrected P = 0.008), indicating a stronger association in patients with diabetes. The sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of the main findings.
Conclusions
The TyG index was linearly associated with microalbuminuria. This association was observed in patients with and without diabetes, with a stronger estimated effect among those with diabetes. TyG may serve as a simple, readily available marker for identifying individuals with higher odds of microalbuminuria across glycemic status; however, longitudinal studies are needed to establish temporal relationships.