Elevated Triglyceride-Glucose Index Linked to 32 Percent Higher Overactive Bladder Risk: NHANES Study

The findings, published in Frontiers in Endocrinology by Baitong Chen from The First School of Clinical Medicine, Guangdong Medical University, and colleagues, suggest that the TyG index—a marker of insulin resistance—could serve as a useful early indicator of OAB risk, particularly in specific demographic groups.

OAB, characterized by a frequent and urgent need to urinate, is a condition that can significantly impair quality of life. While its association with metabolic factors has been suggested in earlier studies, the potential role of the TyG index in predicting OAB has remained largely unexplored until now.

The study evaluated 14,059 individuals from the NHANES dataset, of whom 3,325 were identified as having OAB. The researchers applied both univariate and multivariate logistic regression models to examine the relationship between the TyG index and OAB risk. Additionally, restricted cubic spline (RCS) curves were used to explore the dose-response relationship.

The key findings were as follows:

• Each unit increase in the TyG index was linked to an 18% higher risk of overactive bladder (OR = 1.18).
• Individuals in the highest TyG quartile had a 32% greater risk of developing OAB than those in the lowest quartile (OR = 1.32).
• Dose-response analysis showed a clear linear and positive relationship between TyG index levels and OAB risk.
• The association between the TyG index and OAB was more pronounced in females.
• The link was also stronger among individuals younger than 60 years.
• Significant interaction effects were observed in these subgroups, suggesting potential sex-specific and age-related variations in metabolic influence on bladder function.

Given the simplicity and affordability of calculating the TyG index, which involves readily available triglyceride and glucose measurements, this marker could offer a promising tool for identifying individuals at heightened risk of OAB, especially those with early metabolic irregularities not yet diagnosed as overt disease.

Highlighting the broader implications, the authors emphasized the value of integrating the TyG index into early screening protocols for OAB, particularly in metabolic syndrome-prone populations. However, they also acknowledged the need for future longitudinal studies to validate the observed associations and assess the predictive capability of the TyG index over time.

The authors concluded, "The study provides compelling evidence that the TyG index is not only a marker of insulin resistance but may also serve as a predictor for overactive bladder, offering new possibilities for early identification and prevention strategies."

Reference:

Chen, B., Wang, J., Huang, Y., & Chen, N. (2025). Triglyceride-glucose index and overactive bladder syndrome: Evidence from the NHANES 2005-2018. Frontiers in Endocrinology, 16, 1610140. https://doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2025.1610140