Association of the triglyceride-glucose index variability with blood pressure and hypertension: a cohort study

Summary Background Several studies have indicated that the triglyceride-glucose index (TyG) index is associated with hypertension; however, evidence on the association of change in the TyG index with blood pressure and hypertension is limited. Aims To assess the association of the TyG index with blood pressure and hypertension. Design A cohort study. Methods We included 17 977 individuals with a mean age of 60.5 years from the Dongfeng–Tongji cohort. The TyG index was calculated as ln [fasting triglyceride (mg/dl)×fasting glucose (mg/dl)/2]. Hypertension was defined as blood pressure ≥140/90 mmHg, self-reported current use of antihypertensive medication or self-reported physician diagnosis of hypertension. Results In the longitudinal analyses, we found a linear dose–response relationship between changes in the TyG index and change in blood pressure. Each one-unit change in the TyG index was associated with a 1.93 (1.23–2.63) mmHg increase in systolic blood pressure (SBP) and a 1.78 (1.42–2.16) mmHg increase in diastolic blood pressure (DBP). During a median follow-up of 9.37 years, a total of 3594 individuals were newly diagnosed with hypertension. We also found a linear dose–response relationship between the TyG index and the incidence of hypertension. The hazard ratio (HR) of hypertension for each one-unit increase in the TyG index was 1.21 (1.13–1.29). In addition, the best cut-off point of TyG for predicting hypertension was 8.4797, with sensitivity, and specificity of 57.85% and 55.40%, respectively. Conclusions The TyG index had a positive dose–response relationship with blood pressure and could be used to predict the risk of hypertension.