Diabetology & Metabolic Syndrome (Mar 2025)

Association between the Triglyceride-glucose index and fragility fractures among US adults: insights from NHANES

  • Yuan Lou,
  • Huan Chen,
  • Fuli Man,
  • Lina Zhang,
  • Qi Pan

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13098-025-01669-w
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 17, no. 1
pp. 1 – 14

Abstract

Read online

Abstract Background The triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index, a recognized marker for insulin resistance, holds potential implications for skeletal health. However, its relationship with fragility fractures remains uncertain. We aimed to elucidate the association between the TyG index and fragility fractures in the general US population. Methods Cross-sectional data of 25,082 participants were obtained from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The association between the TyG index and fragility fractures was investigated using univariate and weighted multivariate logistic regression as well as restricted cubic spline (RCS) regression models. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression with ten-fold cross-validation was employed to identify key variables, leading to the development of a nomogram model. Calibration and receiver operating characteristic curves were utilized to evaluate the model's validity. Results The overall prevalence of fragility fractures among participants was 1.10%. After adjusting for confounders, the TyG index exhibited a robust association with the risk of fragility fractures (odds ratio, 1.94; 95% confidence interval, 1.31–2.88; P < 0.001). RCS regression demonstrated a positive linear relationship between the TyG index and fragility fractures. The predictive nomogram, incorporating the TyG index and other clinical factors, demonstrated favorable predictive performance (consistency index = 0.901). Conclusions Elevated TyG index levels were significantly correlated with the risk of fragility fractures in the general US population. These findings suggest that the TyG index may serve as a predictive marker for fragility fractures, underscoring the importance of early intervention and improved fracture risk assessment tools in clinical practice.

Keywords