Triglyceride-Glucose Index is a Reliable Predictor of Metabolic Disorder in Gallstones

Abstract

Objective: The risk of gallstones is increased in fatty liver, overweight, and metabolic syndrome. The hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp method is considered the best method for insulin resistance (IR); but it is a time consuming and expensive procedure. As an alternative strategy, in this study, we would like to demonstrate the triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index as the predictor of the development of gallstone disease associated with metabolic disorders. Methods: The TyG was investigated in our study with 1484 patients between the ages of 18-75 who underwent follow-up and/or cholecystectomy due to gallstones. The serum fasting blood glucose and triglyceride levels of the patients were measured in the biochemistry laboratory of our hospital. The bile ducts and gallstones of all patients were evaluated with the Philips Affiniti 50 (The Philips Affiniti 50 Ultrasound; Philips North America Corporation 3000 Minuteman Road M/S 109 Andover, MA 01810, USA) ultrasonography device used by radiologists in the radiology clinic of our hospital. The data obtained were evaluated in SPSS, and p<0.05 was considered significant. Results: Our study includes 1484 (980 female, 504 male) patients. The plasma glucose (124.6±24.5 mg/dL), triglyceride (198.3±36.8 mg/dL), insulin (16.5±5.6 uIU/mL), and Homeostasis Model Assessment of IR 4 level (8±1.2), were at statistically and significantly higher levels in the patients than in the control group (p=0.001). It was found that the basal TyG was associated with the primary endpoint incidence of gallstones at significant levels. The TyG was related with hazard ratio 1.65 as a continuous variable in univariate analysis (95% confidence interval 1.15-1.98; p<0.001). Conclusion: High TyG scores were associated with gallstone disease, and it can be used as an identifying marker for screening people who have gallstone disease and as an indication for therapeutic precautions.

Keywords

• triglyceride-glucose index
• metabolic disorder
• gallstones