Association between triglyceride-glucose index and mortality in patients with cirrhosis: a retrospective cohort study

Abstract Background Insulin resistance is common in patients with end-stage chronic liver diseases, especially cirrhosis. The association between the triglyceride glucose (TyG) index, a reliable measure for surrogate marker for insulin resistance, and mortality among cirrhotic patients remains unclear. Methods This retrospective cohort study was based on the MIMIC-IV database. Adult cirrhotic patients were categorized into two groups based on the TyG index: the Q1 group (TyG index < 8.8) and the Q2 group (TyG index ≥ 8.8). The primary outcome was 28-day mortality, and the secondary outcome was in-hospital mortality. COX proportional hazards model analyses were used to investigate the association between TyG index and mortality. Results The study included 1322 patients. The 28-day mortality was 17.9% in the Q1 group and 23.3% in the Q2 group. As categorical variable, elevated TyG index was associated with higher 28-day mortality (HR 1.422, 95% CI 1.098–1.841, P = 0.008) and in-hospital mortality (HR 1.442, 95% CI 1.118–1.859, P = 0.005). As continuous variable, every 1 unit increase in the TyG index was associated with increased 28-day mortality (HR 1.301, 95% CI 1.105–1.531, P = 0.002) and in-hospital mortality (HR 1.345, 95% CI 1.105–1.531, P < 0.001). Conclusions The TyG index was associated with increased mortality among patients with cirrhosis.