Association between serum triglyceride levels and venous thrombosis risk in older Chinese patients with fractures: a retrospective cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND: Venous thromboembolism is a serious complication in older fracture patients. While triglyceride levels are established cardiovascular risk factors, their role in venous thrombosis remains controversial, with inconsistent associations reported in general populations. METHODS: A retrospective cross-sectional analysis was conducted on 522 older (≥75 years) fracture patients hospitalized in Kunshan, China (2017–2023). Lower-extremity venous thrombosis was assessed via ultrasonography, with serum triglycerides measured within 24 h of admission. Participants were categorized based on triglyceride tertiles for comparative analysis. Analyses were adjusted for demographics and clinical variables. Non-linear relationships were assessed through threshold effect analyses. RESULTS: Lower-extremity thrombosis prevalence differed significantly across triglyceride tertiles (low: 9.30%, middle: 10.05%, high: 18.63%; p = 0.02). A significant threshold effect was observed at 1.48 mmol/L, below which increased triglyceride levels were significantly associated with higher thrombosis risk (β = 3.38, 95% CI: 1.10-10.41, p = 0.03). This relationship was not apparent above 1.48 mmol/L (β = 0.49, 95% CI: 0.16–1.58, p = 0.23). Stratified analyses confirmed this non-linear association across subgroups. CONCLUSION: Serum triglyceride levels exhibited a significant non-linear association with venous thrombosis risk in older Chinese fracture patients. Patients with triglyceride levels below 1.48 mmol/L may represent a vulnerable subgroup with increased thrombosis risk, suggesting the potential utility of triglyceride measurements for refined risk stratification and personalized thrombosis prophylaxis.