Triglyceride-glucose index improves risk prediction beyond traditional risk factors and hypertension mediated organ damage in healthy adults

Triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index, a surrogate measure of insulin resistance, is associated with hypertension mediated organ damage (HMOD) and cardiovascular disease. This study investigated the association between TyG index and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and its interaction with traditional risk factors and HMOD. Healthy subjects recruited from the general population were thoroughly examined and followed for MACE using nation-wide registries. Cox proportional hazard models were used to calculate the association between TyG index and MACE occurrence. Models were adjusted for Systematic Coronary Risk Evaluation (SCORE) risk factors, pulse wave velocity, left ventricular mass index, carotid atherosclerotic plaque status, and microalbuminuria. Continuous net reclassification and Harrell's Concordance index (C-index) were used to assess the added prognostic value of TyG index. During a follow-up period of mean 15.4 ± 4.7 years, MACE were observed in 332 (17%) of 1970 included participants. TyG index was associated with MACE; HR = 1.44 [95%CI:1.30–1.59] per standard deviation. After adjustment for traditional cardiovascular (CV) risk factors, HR was 1.16 [95%CI:1.03–1.31]. The association between TyG index and MACE remained significant after further adjustment for each HMOD component. However, this finding was evident only in subjects aged 41 or 51 years (HR = 1.39; 95%CI:1.15–1.69). Including TyG index in a risk model based on traditional CV risk factors improved C-index with 0.005 (P = 0.042). In this population-based study of healthy middle-aged subjects, TyG index was associated with MACE independently of traditional CV risk factors and HMOD. TyG index may have a potential role in future risk prediction systems. •Triglyceride-glucose index (TyG index) is a surrogate marker of insulin resistance.•TyG index can predict major adverse cardiovascular events independently of both traditional risk factors and different types of HMOD.•TyG index can improve individual cardiovascular risk prediction in apparently healthy individuals.