Key result
TG/HDL >3.5 linked to ~382% higher risk of multi-system T2D complications, outperforming HbA1c.
Why the study?
Individual lipid parameters and HbA1c have modest predictive value for diabetes complications, and the optimal combination of predictors remains unclear.
Does the Triglyceride-to-HDL ratio outperform individual lipid parameters and HbA1c in predicting multi-system complications in patients with type 2 diabetes?
Observational (n=400)
Does the Triglyceride-to-HDL ratio outperform individual lipid parameters and HbA1c in predicting multi-system complications in patients with type 2 diabetes?
Odds Ratio: 4.82 (95% CI 2.89–8.04)
p-value: p=<0.001
The triglyceride-to-HDL ratio is a superior predictor of multi-system complications in type 2 diabetes compared to traditional markers like HbA1c and individual lipids, suggesting its utility in routine risk assessment.
Introduction and Objective: Individual lipid parameters and HbA1c show modest predictive value for complications, yet optimal combination remains unclear. We employed machine learning to identify the strongest predictor of multi-system complications in community-based type 2 diabetes, comparing 15 parameters including novel lipid ratios. Methods: Machine learning analysis of 400 T2DM patients using Random Forest with SHAP importance. Input: HbA1c, glucose, duration, age, BMI, lipids (TG, TC, LDL, HDL, VLDL), plus ratios (TG/HDL, TC/HDL, LDL/HDL, non-HDL). Outcome: multi-system complications (≥2 of bone loss, neuropathy, dyslipidemia). 10-fold cross-validation, AUROC assessment, optimal cutpoints via Youden index. Results: TG/HDL ratio showed highest importance (0.224) versus individual TG (0.168), BMI (0.160), HbA1c (0.085). AUROC: 0.82 for TG/HDL alone versus 0.61 for HbA1c (p<0.001). Optimal cutpoint TG/HDL >3.5: sensitivity 79%, specificity 76%, OR 4.82 (CI 2.89-8.04, p<0.001). Among HbA1c<7% patients (n=168), TG/HDL >3.5 identified high-risk with 58% complications versus 24% (p<0.001). Among HbA1c≥8% (n=72), TG/HDL ≤3.5 showed 42% complications versus 81% (p<0.001). Individual complications: osteoporosis OR 3.9 (CI 2.1-7.2), neuropathy OR 4.1 (CI 2.3-7.4). Mean TG/HDL: no complications 2.1±0.8, single 3.2±1.1, multiple 4.8±1.6 (p<0.001). Conclusion: Triglyceride-to-HDL ratio is the strongest single predictor of complications, outperforming HbA1c and individual lipids. Simple cutpoint (TG/HDL >3.5) identifies high-risk patients despite optimal glycemic control. Findings support incorporating TG/HDL ratio into routine risk assessment and targeting TG/HDL reduction as primary therapeutic strategy. Disclosure A. Bishnoi: None. S. Patil: None. S. Singla: None. A. Raha: None. S.D. Sonawala: None. R. Viegas: None. A. Maheshwari: None.
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BISHNOI et al. (2026) conducted an observational in Type 2 diabetes (n=400). Triglyceride-to-HDL Ratio (TG/HDL >3.5) vs. TG/HDL ≤3.5 was evaluated on Multi-system complications (≥2 of bone loss, neuropathy, dyslipidemia) (OR 4.82, 95% CI 2.89-8.04, p=<0.001). A triglyceride-to-HDL ratio >3.5 strongly predicted multi-system complications in type 2 diabetes (OR 4.82; 95% CI 2.89-8.04; p<0.001), outperforming HbA1c and individual lipid parameters.
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