Comparison of the Triglyceride Glucose Index and Modified Triglyceride Glucose Indices to Predict Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Youths

Effects of the triglyceride-glucose index on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: Causal evidence from longitudinal cohort studies

BACKGROUND

Insulin resistance (IR) is strongly related to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index serves as a novel substitute indicator for IR. However, research on the effect of TyG index on NAFLD remains sparse. This study aims to investigate the causal association between TyG index and incident NAFLD.

METHODS

The primary cohort consisted of 27,052 participants from the Beijing Health Management Cohort, while the external validation cohort included 75,023 participants from the Taiwan MJ Cohort. Entropy balancing for continuous treatments (EBCT) combined with logistic regression and targeted maximum likelihood estimation (TMLE) were used to evaluate the causal association between the TyG index and incident NAFLD.

RESULTS

During a median follow-up of 2.49 years in the primary cohort, 6,168 participants (median age: 36.0 years) developed incident NAFLD. EBCT combined with logistic regression revealed the odds ratio (95 % CI) of NAFLD risk was 1.742 (1.478-2.054) for each 1-unit increase in the baseline TyG index. In the TMLE model, the risk ratio (95 % CI) for NAFLD was 1.540 (1.406-1.687) in the Q4 (quartile 4) group compared with the Q1 group. These findings were consistent with those from the external validation cohort, reinforcing the robustness of the causal relationship between the TyG index and NAFLD incidence.

CONCLUSIONS

The advanced double-robust estimation method suggests that a higher baseline TyG index may be causally associated with an increased NAFLD risk, providing more reliable evidence for its role as a simple biomarker and demonstrating the utility of double-robust estimation causal inference models in epidemiology.

Comparison of SPISE and METS-IR and Other Markers to Predict Insulin Resistance and Elevated Liver Transaminases in Children and Adolescents

BACKGRUOUND

Studies on predictive markers of insulin resistance (IR) and elevated liver transaminases in children and adolescents are limited. We evaluated the predictive capabilities of the single-point insulin sensitivity estimator (SPISE) index, metabolic score for insulin resistance (METS-IR), homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), the triglyceride (TG)/ high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) ratio, and the triglyceride-glucose index (TyG) for IR and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) elevation in this population.

METHODS

Data from 1,593 participants aged 10 to 18 years were analyzed using a nationwide survey. Logistic regression analysis was performed with IR and ALT elevation as dependent variables. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were generated to assess predictive capability. Proportions of IR and ALT elevation were compared after dividing participants based on parameter cutoff points.

RESULTS

All parameters were significantly associated with IR and ALT elevation, even after adjusting for age and sex, and predicted IR and ALT elevation in ROC curves (all P<0.001). The areas under the ROC curve of SPISE and METS-IR were higher than those of TyG and TG/HDL-C for predicting IR and were higher than those of HOMA-IR, TyG, and TG/HDL-C for predicting ALT elevation. The proportions of individuals with IR and ALT elevation were higher among those with METS-IR, TyG, and TG/ HDL-C values higher than the cutoff points, whereas they were lower among those with SPISE higher than the cutoff point.

CONCLUSION

SPISE and METS-IR are superior to TG/HDL-C and TyG in predicting IR and ALT elevation. Thus, this study identified valuable predictive markers for young individuals.

Association between Bioelectrical Impedance Parameters, Magnetic Resonance Imaging Muscle Parameters, and Fatty Liver Severity in Children and Adolescents

Background/Aims

To evaluate the associations between pediatric fatty liver severity, bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), and magnetic resonance imaging parameters, including total psoas muscle surface area (tPMSA) and paraspinal muscle fat (PMF).

Methods

Children and adolescents who underwent BIA and liver magnetic resonance imaging between September 2022 and November 2023 were included. Linear regression analyses identified predictors of liver proton density fat fraction (PDFF) including BIA parameters, tPMSA, and PMF. Ordinal logistic regression analysis identified the association between these parameters and fatty liver grades. Pearson's correlation coefficients were used to evaluate the relationships between tPMSA and muscle-related BIA parameters, and between PMF and fat-related BIA parameters.

Results

Overall, 74 participants aged 8 to 16 years were included in the study. In the linear regression analyses, the percentage of body fat was positively associated with PDFF in all participants, whereas muscle-related BIA parameters were negatively associated with PDFF in participants with obesity. PMF and the PMF index were positively associated with PDFF in normalweight and overweight participants. In the ordinal logistic regression, percentage of body fat was positively associated with fatty liver grade in normal-weight and overweight participants and those with obesity, whereas muscle-related BIA parameters were negatively associated with fatty liver grade in participants with obesity. The PMF index was positively associated with fatty liver grade in normal/overweight participants. In the Pearson correlation analysis, muscle-related BIA parameters were correlated with tPMSA, and the fat-related BIA parameters were correlated with PMF.

Conclusions

BIA parameters and PMF are potential screening tools for assessing fatty liver in children.

The association between helicobacter pylori infection and Triglyceride-Glucose (TyG) index in US adults: A retrospective cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

The Triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index is a marker for insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome, while Helicobacter pylori is linked to gastrointestinal diseases and may affect metabolic risks. This study examined the association between the TyG index and H. pylori infection in adults.

METHODS

Data from 3797 participants in the NHANES 1999-2000 cycle were analyzed. The relationship between the TyG index and H. pylori infection was assessed using multivariate logistic regression and a two-piecewise logistic model to explore non-linear effects. Subgroup analyses were conducted based on age, sex, glucose levels, BMI, and CKD.

RESULTS

A linear association between the TyG index and H. pylori infection was found. Subgroup analyses revealed significant interactions with a few variables.

CONCLUSIONS

This study indicates a linear relationship between the TyG index and H. pylori infection, suggesting metabolic influences on H. pylori infection and potential for targeted interventions in at-risk groups.

Correlations of the triglyceride-glucose index and modified indices with arterial stiffness in overweight or obese adults

Background

Insulin resistance (IR) contributes substantially to the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and metabolic disorders, particularly obesity. The homeostatic model assessment of IR is a prevalent IR indicator, but insulin measurement is quite impractical for widely use. Given its convenience and accessibility, the triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index, along with modified indices such as the triglyceride-glucose-waist circumference (TyG-WC) and triglyceride-glucose-waist-height ratio (TyG-WHtR), are gaining recognition as practical tools for assessing IR. This study aimed to investigate the specific correlation between the TyG index and its modified indices with arterial stiffness in an overweight or obese population and to explore novel, self-defined modified TyG indices for identifying individuals at elevated risk for such conditions.

Methods

This retrospective study included 1,143 overweight or obese individuals from 2021 to 2023. Medical data, including brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV), were collected. Two novel modified TyG indices, TyG-1h and TyG-2h, were defined by substituting the fasting glucose level in the TyG formula with 1-hour and 2-hour post-load plasma glucose levels, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify parameters that demonstrated a statistically significant correlation with arterial stiffness, defined as a baPWV threshold of ≥ 1400 cm/s. Additionally, restricted cubic spline (RCS) modelling was employed to further explore these relationships in a visually interpretable manner. To evaluate and compare the diagnostic accuracy of the conventional TyG index and its novel modified versions, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses were performed.

Results

Our findings revealed that individuals with arterial stiffness presented significantly elevated TyG index and all its modified versions (P< 0.05). By utilizing a binary logistic regression model and adjusting for potential confounders, we determined that all TyG-related parameters independently correlated with an increased risk of developing arterial stiffness. Moreover, TyG-WHtR displayed the best correlation (OR 3.071, 95% CI 1.496-6.303) when stratified by quartiles, followed by TyG-1h (OR 2.298, 95% CI 1.248-4.234) and TyG-2h (OR 2.115, 95% CI 1.175-3.807). ROC curves suggested that TyG-1h and TyG-2h demonstrated superior diagnostic performance compared to TyG, with AUCs of 0.685, 0.679 and 0.673, respectively.

Conclusions

The modified TyG indices exhibited strong effectiveness in identifying arterial stiffness in Chinese overweight or obese individuals.

Fasting intact insulin by mass spectrometry is associated with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease in youth

BACKGROUND

Fasting intact insulin concentrations can predict metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) in adults without diabetes; however, research in youth is limited. We sought to determine whether fasting intact insulin, measured by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, is associated with MASLD in children.

METHODS

This retrospective cross-sectional analysis used data and samples from children who participated in studies across 3 universities between 2014 and 2022. Key measurements included fasting intact insulin, ALT, and hepatic steatosis assessed by MRI techniques. MASLD was defined as hepatic steatosis ≥5% by MRI with at least 1 cardiometabolic risk factor. The optimal cutoff points to identify MASLD were determined by maximizing the Youden index, and the AUROC curves were compared using the DeLong test.

RESULTS

The analysis included 184 children (28% male; 14.9 ± 2.6 y; 57% Hispanic race/ethnicity; body mass index 32.5 ± 8.1 kg/m2; 64% with MASLD, 43% with polycystic ovary syndrome, and 5% with other liver diseases). Fasting intact insulin and ALT levels were significantly higher in children with MASLD (p < 0.05). Fasting intact insulin was strongly associated with MASLD with an AUROC of 0.83 (0.77-0.90), sensitivity of 71%, and specificity of 85%. When combined with ALT (intact insulin × ALT [μU/mL × U/L]), the AUROC was 0.88 (0.83-0.94), with a sensitivity of 89% and specificity of 81%. The improvement in AUROC over intact insulin alone was not statistically significant (p = 0.089) but was statistically significant from ALT (p = 0.022). Optimal cutoff points for intact insulin and intact insulin × ALT were 20 μU/mL and 522 μU/mL × U/L, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

In pediatric patients, measurements of fasting intact insulin alone and combined with ALT provide a noninvasive strategy for identifying the presence of MASLD.

Triglyceride Glucose Index is Associated with Ultrasonographic Fatty Liver Indicator in Children and Adolescents with Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Objective

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is defined as chronic hepatic steatosis and is becoming prevalent, along with the increasing trend for obesity in children and adolescents. A non-invasive and reliable tool is needed to differentiate non-alcoholic steatohepatitis from simple steatosis. This study evaluated the association between the triglyceride glucose (TyG) index and the ultrasonographic fatty liver indicator (US-FLI), and the possibility of using the TyG index for prediction of severity of pediatric NAFLD.

Methods

One hundred and twenty one patients who were diagnosed with NAFLD by ultrasonography were included. They were categorized into three groups according to body mass index (BMI). Ninety-two were obese, and 19 and 10 were overweight and normal weight, respectively.

Results

The homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was highest in the group with obesity (p=0.044). The TyG index and US-FLI did not differ significantly among the three BMI groups (p=0.186). Fourteen (11.6%) of the 121 patients had US-FLI ≥6, in whom the BMI-SDS and TyG index were higher (p=0.017, p=0.004), whereas HOMA-IR did not differ significantly from the group with US-FLI <6 (p=0.366). US-FLI was associated with BMI-SDS and the TyG index. TyG index was significantly associated with US-FLI after adjustment for BMI-SDS. The cut-off value for the TyG index for predicting US-FLI ≥6 was 8.91, with an area under the curve of 0.785.

Conclusion

TyG index was associated with the degree of hepatic steatosis, suggesting that it might be a useful tool for predicting the severity of pediatric NAFLD.

Establish a noninvasive model to screen metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease in children aged 6-14 years in China and its applications in high-obesity-risk countries and regions

Background

The prevalence of metabolic-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is rising precipitously among children, particularly in regions or countries burdened with high prevalence of obesity. However, identifying those at high risk remains a significant challenge, as the majority do not exhibit distinct symptoms of MASLD. There is an urgent need for a widely accepted non-invasive predictor to facilitate early disease diagnosis and management of the disease. Our study aims to 1) evaluate and compare existing predictors of MASLD, and 2) develop a practical screening strategy for children, tailored to local prevalence of obesity.

Methods

We utilized a school-based cross-sectional survey in Beijing as the training dataset to establish predictive models for screening MASLD in children. An independent school-based study in Ningbo was used to validate the models. We selected the optimal non-invasive MASLD predictor by comparing logistic regression model, random forest model, decision tree model, and support vector machine model using both the Beijing and Ningbo datasets. This was followed by serial testing using the best performance index we identified and indices from previous studies. Finally, we calculated the potential MASLD screening recommendation categories and corresponding profits based on national and subnational obesity prevalence, and applied those three categories to 200 countries according to their obesity prevalence from 1990 to 2022.

Findings

A total of 1018 children were included (NBeijing = 596, NNingbo = 422). The logistic regression model demonstrated the best performance, identifying the waist-to-height ratio (WHtR, cutoff value ≥0.48) as the optimal noninvasive index for predicting MASLD, with strong performance in both training and validation set. Additionally, the combination of WHtR and lipid accumulation product (LAP) was selected as an optimal serial test to improve the positive predictive value, with a LAP cutoff value of ≥668.22 cm × mg/dL. Based on the obesity prevalence among 30 provinces, three MASLD screening recommendations were proposed: 1) "Population-screening-recommended": For regions with an obesity prevalence ≥12.0%, where MASLD prevalence ranged from 5.0% to 21.5%; 2) "Resources-permitted": For regions with an obesity prevalence between 8.4% and 12.0%, where MASLD prevalence ranged from 2.3% to 4.4%; 3) "Population-screening-not-recommended": For regions with an obesity prevalence <8.4%, where MASLD prevalence is difficult to detect using our tool. Using our proposed cutoff for screening MASLD, the number of countries classified into the "Population-screening-recommended" and "Resources-permitted" categories increased from one and 11 in 1990 to 95 and 28 in 2022, respectively.

Interpretation

WHtR might serve as a practical and accessible index for predicting pediatric MASLD. A WHtR value ≥0.48 could facilitate early identification and management of MASLD in areas with obesity prevalence ≥12.0%. Furthermore, combining WHtR ≥0.48 with LAP ≥668.22 cm × mg/dL is recommended for individual MASLD screening. Moreover, linking these measures with population obesity prevalence not only helps estimate MASLD prevalence but also indicates potential screening profits in regions at varying levels of obesity risk.

Funding

This study was supported by grants from Capital's Funds for Health Improvement and Research (Grant No. 2022-1G-4251), National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 82273654), Major Science and Technology Projects for Health of Zhejiang Province (Grant No. WKJ-ZJ-2216), Cyrus Tang Foundation for Young Scholar 2022 (2022-B126) and Sino-German Mobility Programme (M-0015).

Glucose and lipid-related indicators in relation to elevated alanine aminotransferase in a pediatric population

OBJECTIVES

To determine the associations between various glucose and lipid-related indicators with elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in pediatric population.

METHODS

We analyzed the cross-sectional data of 3,771 Iranian children and adolescents aged 7-18 years using the fifth survey of a national school-based surveillance program. The predictive power of 11 different glucose and lipid-related indicators for predicting elevated ALT was examined using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve.

RESULTS

In the total sample non-HDL-C, non-HDL-C/HDL-C, and TC/HDL-C showed the largest area under the curve (AUC) for elevated ALT detection, with 0.731 (cut-off, 129.5 mg/dL), 0.706, and 0.706, respectively. In girls, non-HDL-C had the highest predictive value (AUC, 0.741, cut-off, 129.5 mg/dL). Among boys, non-HDL-C/HDL-C and TC/HDL-C showed the largest AUC of 0.753 with optimum cut-off values of 2.63 and 3.63, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings of this study suggest that non-HDL-C, non-HDL-C/HDL-C, and TC/HDL-C can be predictors of elevated ALT in the pediatric population. These indices can be useful in large population-based studies for predicting children and adolescents at risk of fatty liver.

Association of triglyceride glucose-related parameters with all-cause mortality and cardiovascular disease in NAFLD patients: NHANES 1999-2018

BACKGROUND

The relationship between the triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index and its derived index, the triglyceride glucose-waist height ratio (TyG-WHtR), with mortality and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) remains unclear.

METHODS

This study enrolled 6627 adults aged 18 and above diagnosed NAFLD from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES, 1999-2018). Binary weighted logistic regression analyses, cox proportional hazards model and restricted cubic spline (RCS) were used to analyze the relationship between TyG and TyG-WHtR with all-cause mortality, CVD mortality and CVDs. Mediation analysis explored the mediating role of glycohemoglobin, insulin and hypertension in the above relationships. Meanwhile, the incremental predictive value of the TyG index and TyG-WHtR was further assessed.

RESULTS

Except for no significant association between the TyG index and both all-cause mortality and chronic heart failure (CHF), both TyG and TyG-WHtR exhibited significant positive correlations or trends of positive correlation with all-cause mortality, CVD mortality, total-CVD, CHF, coronary heart disease (CHD) and angina pectoris. For all-cause mortality, CVD mortality and CHF, TyG-WHtR was a better predictor than TyG (TyG-WHtR: HR 1.31, 95%CI 1.03-1.66; HR 2.22, 95%CI 1.42-3.47; OR 3.99, 95%CI 1.79-8.93). In contrast, TyG index demonstrated a stronger association with total-CVD, CHD and angina pectoris (TyG index: OR 2.00, 95%CI 1.26-3.18; OR 1.85, 95%CI 1.19-2.91; OR 2.93, 95%CI 1.23-7.00). RCS analysis showed that after adjusting for covariates, most of the aforementioned relationships were linear(P overall < 0.0001, P-nonlinear > 0.05), while the associations of the TyG index and TyG-WHtR with all-cause mortality and CHF were non-linear(P overall < 0.0001, P nonlinear < 0.05). The addition of the TyG index and TyG-WHtR to the basic model for outcomes improved the C-statistics, net reclassification improvement value, and integrated discrimination improvement value.

CONCLUSIONS

The predictive value of TyG or TyG-WHtR for all-cause mortality and cardiovascular risk in NAFLD patients was significant. The TyG index and TyG-WHtR might be valid predictors of cardiovascular outcomes of patients with NAFLD.

Non-insulin-based insulin resistance indices predict early neurological deterioration in elderly and middle-aged acute ischemic stroke patients in Northeast China

Insulin resistance (IR) has a strong association with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) occurrence and poor prognosis of afflicted patients. However, the relation between early neurological deterioration (END) risk and IR in elderly and middle-aged patients remains to be thoroughly studied. Here, we investigated the relationship between four indicators of IR and the risk of END in middle-aged patients patients with AIS. The study retrospectively analyzed 1696 elderly and middle-aged patients having AIS between January 2019 and June 2023. Within 7 days of admission, the patients were then stratified relying upon alternations in the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale. Subsequently, we employed logistic regression analyses for assessing each index correlation with END on the basis of the tertiles of TyG index (TyGI), triglyceride to high-density lipoprotein ratio (TG/HDL), TyG-BMI, alongside IR metabolic score (METS-IR). These four indicators were significantly heightened in the END group (n = 680) in comparison to the non-END group (n = 1016). When grouping using tertiles, the four aforementioned indicators emerged as independent risk factors for END occurrence, whether or not adjusted for confounding factors. The results revealed a progressive elevation in END occurrence risk with the rise in the tertile of each indicator. Finally, we utilized receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves for assessing the indicators' predictive power. TyG-BMI, TyGI, TG/HDL, and METS-IRs' area under the curve (AUC) were, respectively, 0.736 (95% CI: 0.712-0.761; P < 0.001), 0. 694 (95% CI: 0.668-0.721; P < 0.001), 0.684 (95% CI: 0.658-0.711; P < 0.001), and 0.722 (95% CI: 0.697-0.747; P < 0.001). IR is associated with END risk in middle-aged AIS patients. TyG-BMI, TyGI, TG/HDL, and METS-IR are independent risk factors of END in elderly and middle-aged AIS patients. Simultaneously, these four IR indicators have significant predictive power for END.

Triglyceride-glucose-alanine aminotransferase index: A noninvasive serum predictor for identifying the severity of pediatric nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

We hypothesized that the triglyceride-glucose (TyG)-alanine aminotransferase (ALT) index, which combines the TyG index with ALT, may enhance sensitivity and specificity in detecting the severity of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). A total of 131 NAFLD patients with a mean age of 11.5 ± 2.29 years were enrolled, and severity was assessed by ultrasound fatty liver index (US-FLI) scoring. The TyG-ALT index was defined as ln(fasting triglyceride [mg/dL] × fasting glucose [mg/dL] × ALT [IU/L]/2). Multiple linear regression analysis revealed a significant association between the TyG-ALT index and US-FLI (β = 0.317, P < .001) after controlling for sex, age, and body mass index. The TyG-ALT index showed a more stable and superior ability to detect the severity of NAFLD compared to both ALT and the TyG index. The area under the curve values, listed in the order of ALT, TyG index, and TyG-ALT index, were as follows: 0.737 (P < .001), 0.599 (P = .055), and 0.704 (P < .001) at US-FLI ≥ 4 points; 0.717 (P < .001), 0.720 (P < .001), and 0.775 (P < .001) at US-FLI ≥ 5 points; and 0.689 (P < .05), 0.748 (P < .01), and 0.775 (P < .001) at US-FLI ≥ 6 points. The TyG-ALT index is associated with US-FLI score and superior to both ALT and the TyG index in predicting NAFLD severity. These findings indicate the potential of the TyG-ALT index in the management of pediatric NAFLD progression.

The association between triglyceride glucose-body mass index and all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in diabetes patients: a retrospective study from NHANES database

The triglyceride glucose body mass index (TyG-BMI) is a potential indicator for insulin resistance, but its association with mortality in diabetic patients is unclear. This study investigates the relationship between TyG-BMI and all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in diabetics. The study included 3109 diabetic patients from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2001-2018). Mortality data were obtained from National Death Index records until 31 December 2019. Multivariate Cox models analyzed the association between TyG-BMI and mortality. Non-linear correlations were assessed using restricted cubic splines, and a two-piecewise Cox model evaluated the relationship on both sides of the inflection point. Over a median 7.25-year follow-up, 795 total and 238 cardiovascular deaths occurred. A U-shaped link was found between initial TyG-BMI and mortality in diabetic patients. Low TyG-BMI (< 279.67 for all-cause, < 270.19 for CVD) reduced death risks (all-cause: HR 0.77, 95% CI 0.69-0.86; CVD: HR 0.64, 95% CI 0.48-0.86). High TyG-BMI (> 279.67 for all-cause, > 270.19 for CVD) increased these risks (all-cause: HR 1.26, 95% CI 1.10-1.44; CVD: HR 1.33, 95% CI 1.06-1.68). In the NHANES study population, a U-shaped association was observed between the baseline TyG-BMI index and all-cause mortality or CVD in diabetic patients.

Bioelectrical impedance parameters add incremental value to waist-to-hip ratio for prediction of metabolic dysfunction associated steatotic liver disease in youth with overweight and obesity

Introduction

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) presents a growing health concern in pediatric populations due to its association with obesity and metabolic syndrome. Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) offers a non-invasive and potentially effective alternative for identifying MASLD risk in youth with overweight or obesity. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the utility of BIA for screening for MASLD in the youth.

Method

This retrospective, cross-sectional study included 206 children and adolescents aged <20 years who were overweight and obese. The correlations between anthropometric measurements and BIA parameters and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels were assessed using Pearson's correlation analysis. Logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the associations between these parameters and ALT level elevation and MASLD score. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were generated to assess the predictive ability of the parameters for MASLD.

Results

Pearson's correlation analysis revealed that waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), percentage body fat (PBF), and BIA parameters combined with anthropometric measurements were correlated with ALT level. Logistic regression revealed that WHR, skeletal muscle mass/WHR, PBF-WHR, fat-free mass/WHR, and appendicular skeletal muscle mass/WHR were correlated with ALT level elevation after adjusting for age, sex, and puberty. WHR, PBF-WHR, and visceral fat area (VFA)-WHR were positively correlated with the MASLD score in the total population after adjusting for age, sex, and puberty. PBF-WHR and VFA-WHR were correlated with the MASLD score even in youth with a normal ALT level. The cutoff points and area under the ROC curves were 34.6 and 0.69 for PBF-WHR, respectively, and 86.6 and 0.79 for VFA-WHR, respectively.

Discussion

This study highlights the utility of combining BIA parameters and WHR in identifying the risk of MASLD in overweight and obese youth, even in those with a normal ALT level. BIA-based screening offers a less burdensome and more efficient alternative to conventional MASLD screening methods, facilitating early detection and intervention in youth at risk of MASLD.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and insulin resistance in children

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), a spectrum of liver diseases characterized by excessive fat accumulation, is the leading cause of chronic liver disease. The global prevalence of NAFLD is increasing in both adults and children. In Korea, the prevalence of pediatric NAFLD increased from 8.2% in 2009 to 12.1% in 2018 according to a national surveillance study. For early screening of pediatric NAFLD, laboratory tests including aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase; biomarkers including hepatic steatosis index, triglyceride glucose index, and fibrosis-4 index; and imaging studies including ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging are required. Insulin resistance plays a major role in the pathogenesis of NAFLD, which promotes insulin resistance. Thus, the association between NAFLD and insulin resistance, diabetes mellitus, and metabolic syndrome has been reported in many studies. This review addresses issues related to the epidemiology and investigation of NAFLD as well as the association between NAFLD and insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome with focus on pediatric NAFLD.

Parental metabolic syndrome and elevated liver transaminases are risk factors for offspring, even in children and adolescents with a normal body mass index

Introduction

The parent-child correlation in metabolic syndrome (MetS) and elevated transaminases is sparsely researched. We assessed the correlation of parental MetS and elevated transaminase status with these conditions in their children.

Methods

Data of 4,167 youths aged 10-18 years were analyzed in a population-based survey, and the parental characteristics were stratified by the presence or absence of MetS or alanine aminotransferase (ALT) elevation in their children. The prevalence of these conditions in children was analyzed according to their parents' status. Logistic regression analyses were performed with MetS and ALT elevation in youth as the dependent variables.

Results

The proportions of MetS and ALT elevation were higher in parents of children with MetS and ALT elevation than in those without, even among youths without obesity. In logistic regression analyses, age, body mass index-standard deviation score (BMI-SDS), and ALT elevation were positively associated with MetS, whereas age, male sex, BMI-SDS, protein intake, and MetS were positively associated with ALT elevation. Higher protein intake was related to ALT elevation, whereas metabolic components and nutritional factors were closely related in parents and their children. Odds ratios (OR) of ALT elevation for MetS was 8.96 even after adjusting nutritional factors in the children. The OR was higher for ALT elevation in the children of parents with MetS and ALT elevation compared to those without. ORs for MetS and ALT elevation in the children of parents with MetS were higher than those of children of parents without MetS, even after adjusting for nutritional intake. ORs for ALT elevation were higher in the children of parents with ALT elevation than those without, even after adjusting for nutritional intake and BMI of parents as well as the nutritional intake, age, sex, and BMI-SDS of the children.

Conclusion

MetS and elevated liver transaminase statuses in children were associated with those of their parents even after adjusting for nutritional factors, and the relationships were more prominent in the youth without obesity.

From NAFLD to HCC: Advances in noninvasive diagnosis

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has gradually become one of the major liver health problems in the world. The dynamic course of the disease goes through steatosis, inflammation, fibrosis, and carcinoma. Before progressing to carcinoma, timely and effective intervention will make the condition better, which highlights the importance of early diagnosis. With the further study of the biological mechanism in the pathogenesis and progression of NAFLD, some potential biomarkers have been discovered, and the possibility of their clinical application is gradually being discussed. At the same time, the progress of imaging technology and the emergence of new materials and methods also provide more possibilities for the diagnosis of NAFLD. This article reviews the diagnostic markers and advanced diagnostic methods of NAFLD in recent years.

Triglyceride-Glucose Index is Related to Carotid Artery Plaque in Railway Workers: A Cross-Sectional Study

Aim

China has the highest rail transportation density in the world. Compared to other occupational populations, railway workers in China face increased risk of chronic non-communicable diseases. This study aims to investigate the relationship between the triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index and carotid artery plaque (CAP) in a population of railway workers in southwest China.

Methods

The cross-sectional study was conducted among 3169 railway workers who were categorized into four groups based on TyG index quartiles. The presence of CAP was assessed using carotid Doppler ultrasound. Logistic regression and restricted cubic spline analyses were used to estimate the association between TyG index and CAP, and subgroup analyses were performed based on age, blood pressure, metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), smoking, drinking, and physical activity.

Results

Participants with higher TyG index quartiles had a higher prevalence of CAP, with 11.63%, 14.11%, 20.20%, and 18.56% from the first to fourth quartile, respectively. The multi-adjusted logistic regression models showed a positive association between TyG index and the risk of CAP (odds ratio [OR]: 1.22, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.06-1.41) when treated as a continuous variable. When analyzed as a categorical variable with increasing TyG index tertiles, the risk of CAP substantially increased with ORs (95% CIs) of 1.22 (0.90-1.65) for the second quartile, 1.70 (1.27-2.28) for the third quartile, and 1.46 (1.08-1.98) for the fourth quartile compared to the lowest quartile. Restricted cubic spline revealed that the association gradually strengthened with the increase of the TyG index below 9.56.

Conclusion

TyG index was significantly associated with CAP, notably in populations with elevated quartiles of TyG index among railway workers. Monitoring the TyG index could be a useful risk management strategy for CAP in occupation population.

Predictive values of metabolic score for insulin resistance on risk of major adverse cardiovascular events and comparison with other insulin resistance indices among Chinese with and without diabetes mellitus: Results from the 4C cohort study

AIMS/INTRODUCTION

To investigate the relationship between the metabolic score for insulin resistance (METS-IR) index and major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) and to compare its ability to predict MACEs with other IR indices including homeostatic model assessment for IR (HOMA-IR) and triglyceride glucose (TyG) index-related parameters.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We conducted a cohort study enrolling 7,291 participants aged ≥40 years. Binary logistic regression and restricted cubic splines were performed to determine the association between METS-IR and MACEs, and the receiver operating curve (ROC) was utilized to compare the predictive abilities of IR indices and to determine the optimal cut-off points.

RESULTS

There were 348 (4.8%) cases of MACEs during a median follow-up of 3.8 years. Compared with participants with a METS-IR in the lowest quartile, the multivariate-adjusted RRs and 95% CIs for participants with a METS-IR in the highest quartile were 1.47 (1.05-2.77) in all participants, 1.42 (1.18-2.54) for individuals without diabetes, and 1.75 (1.11-6.46) for individuals with diabetes. Significant interactions were found between the METS-IR and the risk of MACEs by sex in all participants and by age and sex in individuals without diabetes (all P values for interaction < 0.05). In the ROC analysis, the METS-IR had a higher AUC value than other indices for predicting MACEs in individuals with diabetes and had a comparable or higher AUC than other indices for individuals without diabetes.

CONCLUSIONS

The METS-IR can be an effective clinical indicator for identifying MACEs, as it had superior predictive power when compared with other IR indices in individuals with diabetes.

Changes in the Prevalences of Obesity, Abdominal Obesity, and Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease among Korean Children during the COVID-19 Outbreak

PURPOSE

We aimed to investigate the prevalences of obesity, abdominal obesity, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) among children and adolescents during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This population-based study investigated the prevalences of obesity, abdominal obesity, and NAFLD among 1428 children and adolescents between 2018-2019 and 2020. We assessed the prevalences of obesity, abdominal obesity, and NAFLD according to body mass index, age, sex, and residential district. Logistic regression analyses were performed to determine the relationships among obesity, abdominal obesity, and NAFLD.

RESULTS

In the obese group, the prevalence of abdominal obesity increased from 75.55% to 92.68%, and that of NAFLD increased from 40.68% to 57.82%. In age-specific analysis, the prevalence of abdominal obesity increased from 8.25% to 14.11% among participants aged 10-12 years and from 11.70% to 19.88% among children aged 13-15 years. In residential district-specific analysis, the prevalence of both abdominal obesity and NAFLD increased from 6.96% to 15.74% in rural areas. In logistic regression analysis, the odds ratio of abdominal obesity for NAFLD was 11.82.

CONCLUSION

Our results demonstrated that the prevalences of abdominal obesity and NAFLD increased among obese Korean children and adolescents and in rural areas during the COVID-19 outbreak. Additionally, the prevalence of abdominal obesity increased among young children. These findings suggest the importance of closely monitoring abdominal obesity and NAFLD among children during COVID-19, focusing particularly on obese young children and individuals in rural areas.

The triglyceride-glucose index as an indicator of insulin resistance and cardiometabolic risk in Brazilian adolescents

Objective

To set cutoff points for the triglyceride and glucose index (TyG) as a marker of insulin resistance (IR) for the pediatric population.

Subjects and methods

This was a cross-sectional study with schoolchildren population-based data using data of 377 schoolchildren age 10 to 17 years of both sexes. We studied metabolic variables associated with IR indicators, such as fasting insulin and blood glucose, to calculate the homeostatic model assessment (HOMA-IR), and we studied triglycerides (TG) to determine the TyG index. We obtained TyG cutoff values for IR using the receiver operation characteristic (ROC), with definitions of sensitivity (Sen), specificity (Spe), and area under the ROC curve (AUC), with the HOMA-IR as reference.

Results

The cutoff points of the TyG index for IR in adolescents are 7.94 for both sexes, 7.91 for boys, and 7.94 for girls, indicating moderate discriminatory power. When we also considered anthropometric variables of excess weight [TyG-BMI (body mass index)] and visceral fat [TyG-WC (waist circumference)], these indexes reached AUC values higher than 0.72, enhancing their potential use for a good diagnosis.

Conclusion

TyG has proven to be a useful instrument for identifying IR in adolescent health screening, with high discrimination capacity when added to anthropometric variables, making it a feasible and inexpensive option.

Value of the triglyceride-glucose index and non-traditional blood lipid parameters in predicting metabolic syndrome in women with polycystic ovary syndrome

PURPOSE

Insulin resistance (IR) is common in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Metabolic syndrome (MS) includes, inter alia, IR, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and disturbances in glucose metabolism. The triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index and non-traditional lipid parameters are strong predictors of IR and cardiovascular disease and can be considered as screening indicators for MS. This study aimed to evaluate the predictive potential of non-traditional lipid parameters and the TyG index to identify MS in PCOS.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study included 134 women diagnosed with PCOS (50 patients with comorbid MS and 84 patients without MS). Biochemical indices were collected, and triglycerides (TG)/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), total cholesterol (TC)/HDL-C, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C)/HDL-C, non-HDL-C, TyG, and TyG-BMI indices were calculated. Logistic regression analysis was used to compare and determine the association of the six parameters with MS, and the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the performance of each parameter in identifying MS in the PCOS population.

RESULTS

After adjusting for age and body mass index (BMI), TG/HDL-C, TC/HDL-C, LDL-C/HDL-C, non-HDL-C, TyG, and TyG-BMI were associated with MS (all P<0.05). The odds ratios were 4.075 (0.891, 1.107), 3.121 (1.844, 5.282), 3.106 (1.734, 5.561), 2.238 (1.302, 3.848), 13.422 (4.364, 41.282), and 1.102 (1.056, 1.150), respectively. TG/HDL-C, TC/HDL-C, LDL-C/HDL-C, non-HDL-C, TyG, and TyG-BMI are effective predictors of MS in PCOS, and their cut-off values can be used for the early detection of MS. TyG-BMI had the strongest performance in predicting MS (area under the curve 0.905, 95% CI 0.855-0.956), and its optimal critical value for predicting MS was 202.542.

CONCLUSIONS

TG/HDL-C, TC/HDL-C, LDL-C/HDL-C, non-HDL-C, TyG, and TyG-BMI are novel, clinically convenient and practical markers for the early identification of MS risk in PCOS patients.

The Diagnostic and Prognostic Value of the Triglyceride-Glucose Index in Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Fatty Liver Disease (MAFLD): A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) has been related to a series of harmful health consequences. The triglyceride-glucose index (TyG index) appears to be associated with MAFLD. However, no consistent conclusions about the TyG index and incident MAFLD have been reached. PubMed, MEDLINE, Web of Science, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library were searched. Sensitivities, specificities and the area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUC) with a random-effects model were used to assess the diagnostic performance of the TyG index in NAFLD/MAFLD participants. Potential threshold effects and publication bias were evaluated by Spearman’s correlation and Deeks’ asymmetry test, respectively. A total of 20 studies with 165725 MAFLD participants were included. The summary receiver operator characteristic (SROC) curve showed that the sensitivity, specificity and AUC were 0.73 (0.69−0.76), 0.67 (0.65, 0.70) and 0.75 (0.71−0.79), respectively. Threshold effects (r = 0.490, p < 0.05) were confirmed to exist. Subgroup analyses and meta-regression showed that some factors including country, number of samples, age and disease situation were the sources of heterogeneity (p < 0.05). Our meta-analysis suggests that the TyG index can diagnose and predict MAFLD patients with good accuracy. The number of studies remains limited, and prospective studies are needed.

Feasibility of Ultrasound Attenuation Imaging for Assessing Pediatric Hepatic Steatosis

We investigated the feasibility of ultrasound attenuation imaging (ATI) for assessing pediatric hepatic steatosis. A total of 111 children and adolescents who underwent liver ultrasonography with ATI for suspected hepatic steatosis were included. Participants were classified into the normal, mild, or moderate−severe fatty liver group according to grayscale US findings. Associations between clinical factors, magnetic resonance imaging proton density fat fraction, steatosis stage and ATI values were evaluated. To determine the cutoff values of ATI for staging hepatic steatosis, areas under the curve (AUCs) were analyzed. Factors that could cause measurement failure with ATI were assessed. Of 111 participants, 88 had successful measurement results. Median ATI values were significantly increased according to steatosis stage (p < 0.001). Body mass index (BMI) was a significant factor for increased ATI values (p = 0.047). To differentiate fatty liver from normal liver, a cutoff value of 0.59 dB/cm/MHz could be used with an AUC value of 0.853. To differentiate moderate to severe fatty liver from mild fatty liver, a cutoff value of 0.69 dB/cm/MHz could be used with an AUC value up to 0.91. ATI can be used in children as an effective ultrasonography technique for quantifying and staging pediatric hepatic steatosis.

Comparison of the Modified TyG Indices and Other Parameters to Predict Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Youth

Simple Summary

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is associated with cardio-metabolic risk factors, including obesity, dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, and hepatic cirrhosis. The increasing prevalence of NAFLD among youths has become a public health concern. However, studies about reliable markers for assessing NAFLD in youths are limited. Thus, we investigated the markers including the triglycerides-glucose (TyG) index, modified TyG indices, hepatic steatosis index (HSI), aspartate transaminase-to-platelet ratio index (APRI), and modified APRIs for the prediction of NAFLD. This study demonstrated that the modified TyG indices, APRI-body mass index standard deviation score, and HSI are strongly associated with NAFLD in children and adolescents. Thus, these markers may be useful for identifying youths who require hepatic ultrasonography and early treatment.

Abstract

We investigated the modified triglycerides-glucose (TyG) indices and other markers for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in 225 participants aged 10–19 years, and the participants were divided into subgroups according to their NAFLD grade. We performed logistic regression analysis and calculated the odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of tertiles 2 and 3 for each parameter, with those of tertile 1 as a reference. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was calculated to compare the parameters for identifying NAFLD. TyG and modified indices, aspartate transaminase-to-platelet ratio index (APRI)-body mass index (BMI), APRI-BMI standard deviation score (SDS), APRI waist-to-hip ratio, fibrosis-4 index (FIB)-4, and hepatic steatosis index (HSI) were higher in participants with NAFLD than in those without NAFLD. The ORs and 95% CIs for NAFLD progressively increased across tertiles of each parameter. TyG and modified TyG indices, FIB-4, HSI, and modified APRIs, except APRI waist-to-height ratio, predicted NAFLD significantly through ROC curves. Modified TyG indices, APRI-BMI SDS, and HSI were superior to the other markers for NAFLD prediction. Modified TyG indices, APRI-BMI SDS, and HSI appear to be useful for assessing NAFLD in youths.

Trends in Prediabetes and Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Associated with Abdominal Obesity among Korean Children and Adolescents: Based on the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey between 2009 and 2018

Investigations on the trends of prediabetes and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) among children are scarce. We aimed to analyze the trends of prediabetes and NAFLD, as well as their association, among Korean children and adolescents from 2009 to 2018. This study investigated the prevalence of prediabetes, NAFLD, and abdominal obesity among 6327 children and adolescents aged 10–18 years according to age, sex, and body mass index (BMI) using a nationally representative survey. The prevalence of prediabetes, NAFLD, and abdominal obesity increased from 5.14%, 8.17%, and 5.97% respectively, in 2009 to 10.46%, 12.05%, and 10.51% respectively, in 2018. In age-specific analyses, an adverse trend in NAFLD was significant only in participants aged 16–18 years while the prevalence of prediabetes worsened significantly in all age groups. In BMI-specific analyses, the prevalence of prediabetes and NAFLD increased significantly only in participants with normal BMI. In logistic regression analysis, the odds ratio of prediabetes for NAFLD was 1.85 and those of abdominal obesity for prediabetes and NAFLD was 1.85 and 9.34, respectively. Our results demonstrated that the prevalence of prediabetes and NAFLD was increasing in association with abdominal obesity in Korean children and adolescents.

The triglyceride and glucose index and risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: A dose-response meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The triglyceride and glucose (TyG) index is associated with the risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), but the dose-response relationship between them is still unknown. We conducted a comprehensive meta-analysis to study the dose-response association between the TyG index and the risk of NAFLD.

METHODS

We systematically searched the Cochrane Library, PubMed, and Embase databases until July 2022 for relevant studies. The robust error meta-regression method was used to investigate the dose-response association between the TyG index and NAFLD. Summary relative risks (ORs) and 95% CIs were estimated by using a random-effects model.

RESULTS

A total of 4 cohort and 8 cross-sectional studies were included, with 28,788 NAFLD cases among the 105,365 participants. A positive association for the risk of NAFLD was observed for each additional unit of the TyG index with a linear association (p=0.82), and the summary OR was 2.84 (95% CI, 2.01-4.01). In the subgroup analyses, a stronger association of the TyG index with NAFLD was shown in females than in males (men: OR=2.97, 95% CI 2.55-3.46, women: OR=4.80, 95% CI 3.90-5.90, P_subgroup<0.001).

CONCLUSION

The TyG index may be a novel independent risk factor for NAFLD beyond traditional risk factors.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero, identifier (CRD42022347813).