The association between triglyceride glucose index and depression: data from NHANES 2005–2018

Background The association between triglyceride glucose (TyG) index and depression is unclear. We conducted this analysis to explore whether higher TyG index is associated with a higher odd of depression. Methods This was an observational study using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2005-2018), a cross-sectional and nationally representative database. Depression was assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). TyG index was calculated based on the equation as follows: ln [triglyceride (mg/dL) x fasting blood glucose (mg/dL)/2], and participants were divided into quartiles based on TyG index. Weighted multivariable logistic regression models were used to explore the relationship between the TyG index and depression. Results A total of 13,350 patients were included, involving 1001 (7.50%) individuals with depression. Higher TyG index is significantly associated with elevated depressive symptoms in U.S. adults. Multivariate-adjusted HRs for patients in the TyG index 4th quartile were higher for depression (OR = 1.46; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.30, 1.64) compared with the 1st quartile of TyG index. Similar results were seen in men and women, across age groups, and baseline comorbidities. Conclusion In this large cross-sectional study, our result suggests that population with higher TyG index are significantly more likely to have depressive symptoms in U.S. adults. Keywords: Depression, Depressive symptoms, Triglyceride glucose index, Insulin resistance, NHANES