The accuracy of triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index for the screening of metabolic syndrome in adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis

To investigate the relationship between the triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index, a novel surrogate index of insulin resistance (IR), and metabolic syndrome (MetS) in a systematic review and meta-analysis. Studies that report the TyG index in adult subjects with and without MetS were included. Thirteen observational articles were included in this study, with a total of 49,325 participants. Two different categories of meta-analyses were performed. First, the means of the TyG index were compared in participants with and without MetS. The pooled mean difference (MD) of the TyG index between groups was 0.83 units (CI 95: 0.74–0.92, I2 = 98, P-value < 0.001), and the subgroup analyses showed MD significantly differed based on the MetS diagnostic criteria. The pooled MD were 0.80 units (CI 95: 0.70–0.91, I2 = %88, P-value < 0.001) and 0.82 units (CI 95: 0.79–0.86, I2 = %0, P-value > 0.767) for studies reported data for males and females individual, respectively. Second bivariate diagnostic test accuracy (DTA) meta-analysis was performed and determined that the TyG index's pooled sensitivity and specificity for screening of MetS were 80% (CI95: 75%–84%, I2 = 87%, P-value < 0.001) and 81% (CI95: 77%–84%, I2 = 90.45%, P-value < 0.001), respectively. Summary receiver-operating characteristics (sROC) curves were also plotted with the area under the sROC curve of 0.87 (CI 95: 0.84–0.90). The TyG index is a sensitive and specific index for MetS and may be valuable for MetS screening. CRD42022316209. •Relationship between the TyG index and metabolic syndrome: The first meta-analysis.•A new index for screening metabolic syndrome.•The TyG index is applicable in adults for screening of metabolic syndrome.