Triglyceride-glucose index and cervical vascular function: outpatient-based cohort study

Objectives The purpose of this study was to investigate the correlation between triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index and cervical vascular function parameters in the general population without cerebrovascular disease. Materials and Methods This was a cross-sectional study that recruited a total of 1996 participants without cerebrovascular disease. TyG index was calculated based on fasting triglycerides and glucose. All patients were divided into two groups based on the median TyG index: the high TyG group and the low TyG group. The differences in basic clinical characteristics and neck vascular function parameters between the two groups of participants were compared, and then the correlation between TyG index and neck vascular function parameters was investigated. Results Participants with a high TyG index had lower systolic, diastolic, and mean flow velocities in the basilar, vertebral, and internal carotid arteries compared with those with a low TyG index. Participants with a high TyG index had higher pulsatility index in the left vertebral artery and right internal carotid artery, but this difference was not observed in the basilar artery. In addition, TyG index was significantly negatively correlated with systolic, diastolic, and mean flow velocities in the basilar, vertebral, and internal carotid arteries, and the correlation remained after adjusting for confounding factors. Conclusion In the general population, there was a well-defined correlation between TyG index and cervical vascular function parameters, and increased TyG index was independently associated with reduced cervical vascular blood flow velocity. Keywords: Triglyceride-Glucose Index, Internal Carotid Artery, Basilar Artery, Vertebral Artery, Insulin Resistance