Triglyceride Glucose-BMI may be used as indicator to monitor asthma prevalence: Study

A recent study published in the BMC Pulmonary Medicine revealed a significant association between the triglyceride-glucose body mass index (TyG-BMI) which is a novel marker for insulin resistance, and the prevalence of asthma in U.S. adults. This finding bring out the role of metabolic health in respiratory conditions and highlights a potential new tool for assessing asthma risk.

The study utilized data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) for the 2011–2018 period and examined a total of 8,553 participants. This research calculated the TyG-BMI based on triglyceride levels, fasting blood glucose, and body mass index. Asthma status was determined through participant questionnaires.

After adjusting for multiple confounding factors, these results showed a positive relationship between TyG-BMI and asthma. The participants in the highest TyG-BMI quartile had a 56.1% higher prevalence of asthma when compared to those in the lowest quartile (Odds Ratio: 1.561, 95% Confidence Interval: 1.181, 2.065).

The study also found that this association was more pronounced in specific subgroups, particularly those defined by gender, coronary heart disease, and stroke history. These interactions indicate that metabolic and cardiovascular factors may further influence asthma susceptibility.

The research highlighted that TyG-BMI was positively correlated with asthma prevalence as a continuous variable. For every unit increase in TyG-BMI, the odds of having asthma slightly increased (OR: 1.003). Dividing TyG-BMI into quartiles showed a significant stepwise increase in asthma risk. The highest quartile was associated with the most pronounced asthma prevalence.

The researchers emphasized that TyG-BMI could serve as an effective indicator for monitoring asthma risk. However, they cautioned that the cross-sectional nature of the study limits the ability to establish causality. Longitudinal studies are needed to confirm these findings and explore the biomarker’s utility in managing long-term comorbidities related to asthma and insulin resistance.

Asthma remains a significant public health burden by affecting millions and contributing to rising healthcare costs. The findings of this study illuminate the need for a comprehensive approach that considers metabolic health when addressing respiratory diseases. Health experts believe that incorporating metabolic markers like TyG-BMI into regular health assessments could improve early detection and targeted management strategies for individuals at risk of developing asthma.

Further research could pave the way for innovative treatment pathways that simultaneously address respiratory and metabolic health concerns. Overall, this research underlined the intricate links between metabolic health and respiratory conditions, encouraging both physicians and policymakers to explore new avenues for prevention and treatment.

Source:

Yu, S., Wu, S., & Wei, S. (2025). Association between the triglyceride glucose body mass index and asthma: evidence from NHANES 2011–2018. BMC Pulmonary Medicine, 25(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12890-025-03517-z