Endocrinol Metab.  2019 Jun;34(2):179-186. 10.3803/EnM.2019.34.2.179.

Triglyceride Glucose Index Is Superior to the Homeostasis Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance for Predicting Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Korean Adults

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. pjs00@yuhs.ac
  • 2Severance Institute for Vascular and Metabolic Research, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
  • 3Department of Internal Medicine, Hallym University Kangdong Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
  • 4Healthcare Research Team of Health Promotion Center, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Recently, the triglyceride glucose (TyG) index has been considered a surrogate marker of insulin resistance which is a well-known pathogenic factor in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, few studies have investigated the relationship between the TyG index and NAFLD. Thus, we investigated the relationship between the TyG index and NAFLD and the effectiveness of the TyG index compared with the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) in identifying NAFLD in Korean adults.
METHODS
Participants of 4,986 who underwent ultrasonography in a health promotion center were enrolled. The TyG index was calculated as ln [fasting triglycerides (mg/dL)×fasting glucose (mg/dL)/2], and HOMA-IR was estimated. NAFLD was diagnosed by ultrasonography.
RESULTS
Significant differences were observed in metabolic parameters among the quartiles of the TyG index. The prevalence of NAFLD significantly increased with increment in the TyG index. After adjusting for multiple risk factors, a logistic regression analysis was performed. When the highest and lowest quartiles of the TyG index and HOMA-IR were compared, the odds ratios for the prevalence of NAFLD were 2.94 and 1.93 (95% confidence interval, 2.32 to 3.72 and 1.43 to 2.61; both P for trend <0.01), respectively. According to the receiver operating characteristic analysis, the TyG index was superior to HOMA-IR in predicting NAFLD.
CONCLUSION
The TyG index and prevalence of NAFLD were significantly related and the TyG index was superior to HOMA-IR in predicting NAFLD in Korean adults.

Keyword

Triglyceride glucose index; Insulin resistance; Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

MeSH Terms

Adult*
Biomarkers
Glucose*
Health Promotion
Homeostasis*
Humans
Insulin Resistance*
Insulin*
Logistic Models
Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease*
Odds Ratio
Prevalence
Risk Factors
ROC Curve
Triglycerides*
Ultrasonography
Biomarkers
Glucose
Insulin
Triglycerides

Figure

  • Fig. 1 The prevalence and severity of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) based on the (A) triglyceride glucose (TyG) index and (B) homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). Ultrasonography was used for diagnosing the severity of fatty liver disease (all P<0.01).


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