Triglyceride Glucose Index and Related Parameters as Alternative Indicators of Metabolic Syndrome: Hospital-Based Cross-Section Study

Background: Insulin resistance (IR) is a main risk factor for metabolic syndrome (MetS), type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease (CVD). The triglyceride glucose (TyG) index and TyG-related metrics, such as TyG-BMI or TyG-WC are effective for identifying IR and MetS. 
Methods: This cross-sectional study included 120 patients who attended Benha University Hospital Clinics and 60 healthy volunteers. To diagnose MetS, the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) criteria was used. TyG index, TyG-BMI, and TyG-WC were estimated for every subject.
Results: Patients with Mets showed significantly higher TYG index, TYG-WC, and TYG-BMI compared to controls. ROC analysis revealed that TYG-WC index and TYG-BMI cut-off values of 422.6 (81.7% sensitivity and 83.3% specificity) and 111.12 (83.3% sensitivity and 83.3% specificity) could be excellent predictive test of MetS with AUC of 0.907 & 0.909 respectively. TYG index predicted metabolic syndrome with cut-off value of 4.65 (AUC = 0.819) (sensitivity and specificity of 75% and 76.7% respectively). Regarding forecasting IR, the TYG index exhibited a threshold of 4.73, achieving a sensitivity of 77.3% and a specificity of 81.6%. In the case of TYG-WC, the cutoff point was 465.04, yielding a sensitivity of 84.2% and a specificity of 81.8%. TYG-BMI, on the other hand, displayed a threshold value of 117.89, accompanied by a sensitivity of 89.5% and a specificity of 77.3%.
Conclusion: Although TYG-BMI and TYG-WC were more effective in evaluating IR and MetS, TYG index is still an easy way to identify IR and MetS.