The relationship between triglyceride-glucose index and lipid profile, hormonal, and biochemical parameters in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index and hormonal, biochemical, and lipid parameters in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Methods: In this retrospective single-center study, 2,243 outpatient records were reviewed. Among 696 patients diagnosed with PCOS between 2015 and 2022, 233 newly diagnosed and treatment-naive patients were included. TyG was calculated using fasting triglyceride and glucose values. Correlations between TyG and laboratory parameters were assessed. The optimal TyG cut-off for insulin resistance was evaluated using HOMA-IR and receiver operating characteristic analysis. Results: TyG was positively correlated with HbA1c, age, LDL cholesterol, total cholesterol, non-HDL cholesterol, insulin, and HOMA-IR, and negatively correlated with HDL cholesterol. The optimal TyG cut-off was 8.67, with an AUC of 0.709, sensitivity of 50.49%, and specificity of 85.38%. Patients with TyG values above the cut-off had higher age, insulin, LDL cholesterol, total cholesterol, non-HDL cholesterol, and HbA1c values, whereas HDL cholesterol and estradiol levels were lower. Conclusions: TyG was associated with insulin resistance markers and dyslipidemic parameters in patients with PCOS. These findings support the potential clinical utility of TyG as a simple surrogate marker for metabolic risk assessment in PCOS.