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