7. Association between Triglyceride-Glucose Index and Arterial Stiffness among Various Risk Factors and Comorbidities: An Observational Studies-based Meta-analysis and Systematic Review

Abstract

Background: Insulin resistance, assessed by triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index, and arterial stiffness contribute to the pathogenesis of hypertension and cardiovascular diseases. However, the relationship between TyG index and risk of arterial stiffness among various risk factors and comorbidities remains unclear. Objective: We aimed to analyze the significance of the TyG index in predicting the risk of arterial stiffness among the population with various risk factors and comorbidities. Method: We conducted literature search in PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar databases from January 1, 2017 – August 31, 2022. Observational studies evaluating the association between TyG index and arterial stiffness, measured by carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) or brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV), among population with various risk factors and comorbidities, and reporting odds ratio (OR) after multivariate analysis were included. The random-effects model was used for estimating pooled ORs with the corresponding confidence intervals (CIs). Results: We included 12 observational studies including 51,258 participants. Higher TyG index was significantly associated with higher risk of arterial stiffness (OR = 1.77, CI95% = 1.5–2.1, p < 0.001), in population aged > 65 years (OR = 1.43, CI95% = 1.08–1.9, p = 0.01), with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) (OR = 1.32, CI95% = 1.17–1.49, p < 0.01), and body mass index (BMI) <25 kg/m2 (OR = 1.35, CI95% = 1.06–1.73, p = 0.02), while insignificant association was found in non-normotensive, glomerular filtration rate (GFR) <60 mL/min, smoking, and/or alcoholic populations. Conclusion: A higher TyG index is associated with higher risk of arterial stiffness, significantly in the population aged >65 years, with T2DM, and BMI <25 kg/m2.