Increased TyG index closely associated with the severity of CAD, finds study

A new study published in the journal of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism showed a strong correlation between coronary artery disease (CAD) severity and an increased triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index. Atherosclerotic plaque that develops in the coronary arteries and reduces blood flow to the heart is the cause of coronary artery disease. A number of variables combine to promote atherosclerotic plaque development, which is a primary etiology that underlying the pathophysiologic processes of CAD.

Some risk factors, like smoking, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, hyperglycemia, hypertension (HTN), etc., have been shown to play crucial roles in extensive epidemiological investigations. Numerous studies have demonstrated how insulin resistance (IR) contributes to the development of atherosclerosis by causing abnormal lipid metabolism. The TyG index, which is computed as the natural logarithm of [fasting TG (mg/dL) × fasting glucose (mg/dL)/2], was created in 2008 as an affordable and easily available technique.

Global morbidity and death rates are significantly impacted by CAD, a serious public health issue. Evaluating IR as a risk factor for atherosclerosis development might reveal the pre-CAD state. A very trustworthy way to assess IR is the TyG index, which has demonstrated encouraging relationships with CAD. Thus, this study was to look at the relationship between CAD and the TyG index.

The study included a total of 2346 participants, who were divided into 5 groups, as the individuals without CAD, angiogram-negative (Ang−) patients, those with SVD, two-vessel disease (2VD), or three-vessel disease (3VD). The records were kept of biochemical analyses, illness histories, and demographic characteristics. Ln [fasting TG (mg/dL) × fasting glucose (mg/dL)/2] was used to compute the TyG index.

When compared to the healthy subjects, adjusted regression models showed that the probabilities of 3VD, 2VD, SVD, and a negative coronary angiography rose considerably with each unit rise in the TyG index. Furthermore, when compared to the Ang− group, a one-unit rise in the TyG index significantly enhanced the probabilities of becoming 3VD, 2VD, and SVD.

Overall, this study shows that the presence and severity of CAD are significantly correlated with an increased TyG index. Particularly in individuals with diabetes, higher TyG index values were consistently associated with a higher risk of multivessel CAD. 

Reference:

Saffar Soflaei, S., Salehi-Sangani, P., Fallahi, Z., Imanparast, F., Marousi, M., Tajfard, M., Ferns, G. A., Moohebati, M., & Ghayour-Mobarhan, M. (2025). Triglyceride-glucose index association with severity of coronary artery disease. Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism, 8(2), e70025. https://doi.org/10.1002/edm2.70025