TyG index positively associated with risk of prevalence of kidney stones, suggests study
New research findings indicate that individuals with a higher triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index, an indicator of insulin resistance, have an increased risk of developing kidney stones in the Chinese population. A recent study was conducted by Wang D. and colleagues which was published in the journal BMJ Open.
Kidney stones are a common health problem that is often linked to metabolic disorders. The TyG index, measured based on fasting levels of triglycerides and glucose, is a good surrogate marker of insulin resistance. This study evaluated the relationship between the TyG index and the risk of KSs in a large-scale case-control analysis of the cohort of Chinese adults.
This was a case-control study conducted in three physical examination centers in Shanghai, China from January 2020 to December 2022. In total, 117,757 adults attended for health check-ups, which included ultrasound screening for KSs. Multivariable logistic regression and RCS analyses were carried out for the association of the TyG index with KS. The additional roles of modifiers, including age, sex, obesity, hypertension, and diabetes, were evaluated by subgroup analyses.
The findings of the study were:
Prevalence of Kidney Stones:
Out of 117,757 participants, 11,645 individuals (9.9%) were diagnosed with KSs using ultrasound.
TyG Index and Kidney Stones:
• KSs subjects showed significantly higher values of TyG index compared to controls (p < 0.001).
• Multivariable-adjusted ORs for KSs increased across quartiles of TyG. The OR for those in the highest quartile was 1.28 (95% CI 1.20–1.36) compared to the lowest quartile.
• Each SD rise in the TyG index corresponded to a 10% greater risk of KSs (OR: 1.10, 95% CI 1.08-1.13).
Dose-Response Relationship:
• Results from the RCS analysis indicated that the TyG index and the risk of KS showed a positive and linear association (p overall < 0.001, p non-linear = 0.136).
Consistency Across Subgroups:
• The association between the TyG index and KS risk was maintained across subgroups of age, sex, obesity, hypertension, and diabetes, as well as in sensitivity analyses.
In summary, TyG index levels have been found to be positively correlated with kidney stone risk, underlining the role of insulin resistance as a possible risk factor. These findings highlight the importance of metabolic health in the prevention of kidney stones and emphasize the need for targeted interventions to reduce this risk in affected populations.
Reference:
Wang, D., Zhang, D., Zhang, L., Shi, F., & Zhu, Y. (2024). Association between triglyceride-glucose index and risk of kidney stone: a Chinese population-based case–control study. BMJ Open, 14(11), e086641.https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2024-086641
