Each 1-unit increase in the triglyceride-glucose index was associated with higher odds of hypertension (OR 2.09), with fatty liver statistically accounting for 23.50% of this association.
Cross-Sectional (n=115,327)
No
Is a higher triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index associated with increased odds of hypertension in adults undergoing routine health examinations?
A higher triglyceride-glucose index is significantly associated with increased odds of hypertension, a relationship that appears to be partially mediated by the presence of fatty liver.
Effect estimate: OR 2.09 (95% CI 2.03-2.15)
p-value: p=<0.001
Background The triglyceride–glucose (TyG) index is widely recognized as a surrogate marker of insulin resistance and reflects disturbances in glucose and lipid metabolism. Although higher TyG index levels have been associated with hypertension, the factors related to this association remain incompletely understood. This study aimed to examine the association between the TyG index and hypertension and to explore whether fatty liver might statistically account for part of this association. Methods This cross-sectional study included participants who underwent routine health examinations at the Third Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University between 2021 and 2025. For individuals with multiple examination records during the study period, only the first record was retained for analysis. The TyG index was calculated using fasting triglyceride and glucose levels. Fatty liver was assessed by abdominal ultrasonography, and hypertension was defined according to the 2023 European Society of Hypertension guidelines. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to evaluate the associations of the TyG index with hypertension and fatty liver. Mediation analysis was performed to explore whether fatty liver might account for part of the observed association between the TyG index and hypertension. Results A total of 115,327 participants were included in the final analysis. The TyG index was significantly associated with hypertension. Each 1-unit increase in the TyG index was associated with higher odds of hypertension (adjusted OR = 2.09, 95% CI: 2.03–2.15). The TyG index was also strongly associated with fatty liver (adjusted OR = 7.05, 95% CI: 6.82–7.28). Mediation analysis suggested that fatty liver might account for part of the observed association between the TyG index and hypertension, with a proportion statistically accounted for of 23.50% (95% CI: 21.39%–25.96%). Conclusions In this health examination population, a higher TyG index was significantly associated with hypertension, and fatty liver may account for part of the observed association. Further longitudinal studies are needed to clarify these findings.
Lin et al. (2026) conducted a cross-sectional in Hypertension (n=115,327). Triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index was evaluated on Hypertension (OR 2.09, 95% CI 2.03-2.15, p=<0.001). Each 1-unit increase in the triglyceride-glucose index was associated with higher odds of hypertension (OR 2.09), with fatty liver statistically accounting for 23.50% of this association.