Elevated TyG-BMI Index Is A Key Predictor for Early Detection of Chronic Kidney Disease: Study

The study, published in Clinical and Experimental Medicine, revealed that the TyG-BMI index is a standalone risk factor for chronic kidney disease, suggesting that evaluating this index could be instrumental in the early detection of individuals at elevated risk for CKD.

The TyG-BMI index combines two important metrics: triglyceride-glucose index (TyG) and body mass index (BMI). The TyG index is calculated using fasting triglycerides and glucose levels, reflecting insulin resistance, while BMI is a measure of body fat based on height and weight.

Chronic kidney disease is a major global public health concern, with its incidence and prevalence increasing each year. Among the primary causes of CKD are metabolic disorders. Tianhui An, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China, and colleagues investigated the relationship between the emerging metabolic index triglyceride-glucose body mass index and the onset of CKD.

The study included 3,485 healthy participants (1,576 men and 1,909 women) and followed them for three years. The primary outcome measured was the development of CKD, defined as an eGFR below 60 mL/(min × 1.73 m²) or the presence of proteinuria. To explore the relationship between the TyG-BMI index and CKD onset, the researchers utilized univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses, conducted stratified analyses, and employed receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves.

The study led to the following findings:

• After a three-year follow-up, CKD developed in 2% of the participants.
• Subjects were divided into three equal groups based on their TyG-BMI values, from lowest to highest.
• After adjusting for potential confounders, the highest TyG-BMI group exhibited a multifactor-adjusted odds ratio (OR) of 4.24 compared to the lowest group.
• Stratified analyses revealed that the association between TyG-BMI and CKD onset was stronger among females, individuals younger than 60 years, and those with a BMI ≥ 24 kg/m2.
• TYG-BMI was effective in predicting the incidence of CKD.

The prospective study identified high TyG-BMI as an independent risk factor for CKD, making it a valuable early warning tool for detecting CKD and screening individuals at high risk. The TyG-BMI index, derived from routine peripheral blood tests, offers a cost-effective and convenient method for early detection, patient self-monitoring, and CKD prevention.

"We anticipate that future research will expand to include larger, multicenter studies to further evaluate the predictive value and underlying mechanisms of TyG-BMI in relation to CKD," the researchers concluded.

Reference:

Fan, C., Guo, M., Chang, S. et al. Elevated TyG-BMI index predicts incidence of chronic kidney disease. Clin Exp Med 24, 203 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10238-024-01472-3