Association of triglyceride-glucose-body mass index and diabetic retinopathy in Chinese elderly patients with type 2 diabetes: a cross-sectional retrospective study

Objective: This cross-sectional and retrospective study aimed to investigate the relationship between the triglyceride-glucose-body mass index (TyG-BMI) and diabetic retinopathy (DR) in an elderly population with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Methods: Utilizing data from the Diabetes Complications Early Warning Dataset, we enrolled T2D patients aged >60 years. Multivariate logistic regression and restricted cubic spline (RCS) analyses were applied to assess the TyG-BMI-DR association. Results: Among 1076 included patients, DR prevalence was 47.68%. After adjusting for covariates, higher TyG-BMI quartiles (Q2-Q4) were significantly associated with increased DR risk compared to Q1, with adjusted odds ratios of 2.058 (95% CI: 1.378 - 3.074, P < 0.001), 1.528 (95% CI: 1.006 - 2.322, P = 0.047), and 2.217 (95% CI: 1.417 - 3.467, P < 0.001), respectively. RCS analysis suggested a nonlinear dose-response association. Conclusion: TyG-BMI index is positively associated with DR risk in elderly T2D patients and serves as a potential indicator for clinical risk stratification.