Association between triglyceride-glucose index and chronic kidney disease: results from NHANES 1999–2020

Abstract Aims Examining the connection between the triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index and chronic kidney disease (CKD) was the aim of this investigation. Methods Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) covering the years 1999–2020 were analyzed in this study. The TyG index was calculated as Ln (triglycerides (mg/dl) * fasting glucose (mg/dl)/2). The two criteria used to diagnose CKD were low estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) (eGFR < 60 mL/min/1.73m 2 ) or albuminuria (urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR) ≥ 30 mg/g). To look into the independent associations between TyG index levels with CKD, albuminuria, and low-eGFR, weighted multivariable logistic regression and generalized additive models were employed. To assess and contrast the diagnostic ability, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were employed. Results Out of 18,078 total participants recruited, 48.54% were male. 8.48 + 0.68 was the mean value of the TyG index. CKD, albuminuria, and low-eGFR were common, with respective prevalences of 17.06%, 11.26%, and 8.03%, respectively. The TyG index and CKD were observed to positively correlate (OR = 4.03; 95% CI 1.81, 8.96). In US adults between the ages of 41 and 60, a J-shaped connection was found between the two. Furthermore, a higher TyG index is associated with a higher prevalence of albuminuria (OR = 6.11; 95% CI 2.64, 14.14). Subgroup analyses and interaction tests revealed that different stratifications did not significantly affect the relationship between TyG index and CKD, albuminuria, and low-eGFR. Comparing the TyG index to other indicators [lipid accumulation product (LAP), Visceral adiposity index (VAI), and the triglyceride glucose–body mass index (TyG-BMI)], it may be more accurate and discriminative in predicting CKD and albuminuria. Conclusion When predicting CKD and albuminuria, the TyG index may be a more useful marker when compared to other markers (LAP, VAI, and TyG-BMI index). In addition, in American adults aged 41–60, the TyG index shows a J-shaped relationship with CKD. As a result, when assessing the kidney health of US adults, we must pay close attention to the significance of the TyG index.