Associations between non-insulin-based insulin resistance indices and heart failure prevalence in overweight/obesity adults without diabetes mellitus: evidence from the NHANES 2001–2018

Abstract Background The triglyceride glucose (TyG) index and triglyceride-to-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (TG/HDL-C) ratio are recognized as simple non-insulin-based insulin resistance indices. Our study aimed to explore the relationship between these two indicators and heart failure (HF) in overweight or obesity individuals without diabetes. Methods This cross-sectional study selected 13,473 participants from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2001–2018 dataset. Weighted multivariable logistic regression and subgroup analysis were employed to evaluate the relationships between TyG index, TG/HDL-C ratio, and HF prevalence, respectively. Additionally, smooth curve fitting was utilized to analyze the dose–response relationships. Results A total of 13,473 obesity or overweight people without diabetes were included in this study through screening, among whom 291 (2.16%) had comorbid HF. The results of multivariable logistic regression suggested that the highest TyG index (OR = 2.4, 95% CI = 1.4–4.2, p = 0.002) and the highest TG/HDL-C ratio (OR = 1.2, 95% CI = 1.1–1.3, p < 0.001) both increased the prevalence of HF, especially in the non-Hispanic population. Dose–response relationships suggested nonlinear relationships between these two indicators and HF. Conclusion Our study demonstrated that elevated TyG index and TG/HDL-C ratio were closely associated with the prevalence of HF, and both exhibited nonlinear relationships with HF prevalence in overweight/obesity adults without diabetes. Based on these findings, additional prospective studies are needed for further validation.