Elevated TyG-WC Values Associated with Higher OSA Risk and Mortality: Study Shows
China: Researchers have found in a new study that higher triglyceride-glucose waist circumference (TyG-WC) values are independently associated with an increased risk of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and show a non-linear relationship with mortality in individuals with OSA.
The study, published in Scientific Reports and led by Dr. Hai Yu from the Department of Anesthesiology at West China Hospital, Sichuan University, examined the predictive value of the TyG-WC index for OSA and its associated mortality risk. The TyG-WC index combines triglyceride and glucose levels with waist circumference, serving as an indicator of insulin resistance and metabolic health. While this index has been recognized in diabetes and cardiovascular research, its relevance to OSA and related health outcomes has remained uncertain.
Utilizing data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) across two timeframes (2005–2008 and 2015–2018), the researchers evaluated a total of 7,789 adults, of whom 3,959 exhibited symptoms suggestive of OSA.
The key findings are as follows:
- The multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that individuals with higher TyG-WC levels had significantly increased odds of developing obstructive sleep apnea.
- Each unit increase in TyG-WC was associated with a 13% higher risk of OSA (OR = 1.13).
- A non-linear association was identified between TyG-WC and mortality in individuals with OSA, with both all-cause and cardiovascular mortality risks rising sharply beyond a TyG-WC threshold of 1268.17.
- Inflammatory markers were found to partially mediate the link between TyG-WC and mortality, with neutrophils contributing 17.2% and monocytes contributing 8.63% to the effect on survival time.
Despite the compelling findings, the study acknowledges some limitations. The diagnosis of OSA was based on self-reported questionnaire data, which may have introduced some inaccuracies. Additionally, while statistical adjustments were made for several confounding variables, not all clinical factors could be accounted for. The relatively small number of cardiovascular deaths also limited statistical power in some analyses. Furthermore, the cross-sectional nature of the data restricts the ability to conclude long-term outcomes or the effects of medications over time.
The authors conclude, "The study highlights that elevated TyG-WC levels are not only a marker of insulin resistance but may also serve as a valuable tool in identifying individuals at higher risk for OSA and related mortality. These findings highlight the potential clinical utility of TyG-WC in risk assessment and call for further longitudinal studies to validate these associations and explore targeted interventions."
Reference:
Zhang, Y., Li, T., & Yu, H. (2025). The triglyceride glucose-waist circumference index is a predictor of obstructive sleep apnea risk and all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. Scientific Reports, 15(1), 1-13. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-11246-w
