Higher TyG Index Linked to Increased H. pylori Infection Risk and Mortality: Study

"Each increase in the TyG index was associated with a greater risk of H. pylori infection, with an odds ratio of 1.189," the researchers reported in Diabetology & Metabolic Syndrome.

The TyG index is a measure derived from triglyceride and glucose levels that is increasingly recognized for its potential role in assessing metabolic health and predicting cardiovascular risk. However, research into the potential link between the TyG index and mortality, particularly among individuals with H. pylori infection, has been limited. To fill this knowledge gap, Lili Huo, Capital Medical University, Beijing, People’s Republic of China, and colleagues seek to examine the relationship between the TyG index and H. pylori infection and determine whether H. pylori infection mediates the association between TyG index levels and all-cause mortality.

For this purpose, the researchers used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999–2018, involving a final sample of 2,187 participants. They employed univariable and multivariable-adjusted logistic regression analyses to explore the relationship between H. pylori infection and relevant covariates.

To evaluate the association between the TyG index and all-cause mortality among individuals with or without H. pylori infection, they implemented Cox regression analysis and restricted cubic spline analysis.

The following were the key findings of the study:

• There was a significant positive correlation between the TyG index and an elevated risk of H. pylori infection [OR 1.157]. This correlation persisted even after adjusting for confounding factors [OR 1.189].
• In patients with positive H. pylori infection, a noteworthy nonlinear correlation between the TyG index and all-cause mortality was identified.
• With an increase in the TyG index, all-cause mortality exhibited a corresponding rise, particularly following adjustment for all potential confounding factors.
• In patients with negative H. pylori infection, there was no significant association between the TyG index and all-cause mortality after adjusting for potential confounding factors.

The findings showed that a higher TyG index was associated with an increased risk of H. pylori infection. Participants in the higher quantile of the TyG index had a greater risk of all-cause mortality than those in the same quantile who were H. pylori-positive, as opposed to H. pylori-negative participants.

"The study's observational design limits causality inference, necessitating confirmation through larger prospective studies. Additionally, NHANES participants may not represent the global population, raising questions about the applicability of our findings to diverse ethnic groups," the researchers concluded.

Reference:

Zhu, XY., Xiong, YJ., Meng, XD. et al. Association of triglyceride-glucose index with helicobacter pylori infection and mortality among the US population. Diabetol Metab Syndr 16, 187 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13098-024-01422-9