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January 5, 2026Frontiers in Cardiovascular MedicineOpen Access

Hypertriglyceridemic waist and subclinical atherosclerosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

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Why the study?

The authors sought to explore whether the hypertriglyceridemic waist phenotype could serve as an effective, cheap, and non-invasive test for subclinical atherosclerosis.

Does the hypertriglyceridemic waist (HTGW) phenotype predict subclinical atherosclerosis?

Population

Six published studies evaluating HTGW and subclinical atherosclerosis

Comparison

HTGW phenotype vs absence of HTGW phenotype

Design

Systematic review and meta-analysis

Key result

The hypertriglyceridemic waist phenotype was significantly associated with increased odds of subclinical atherosclerosis (OR 2.39).

Authors

WXWei XiongHFHua FanYYYao You

Discussion

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Overview

HTGW phenotype was associated with subclinical atherosclerosis; supports inexpensive screening but prospective validation needed before practice change.

Study Design

Type

Meta-Analysis (n=2,136)

Structured PICO

Does the hypertriglyceridemic waist (HTGW) phenotype predict subclinical atherosclerosis?

P
Population
2,136 participants across 6 observational studies evaluating the association between the hypertriglyceridemic waist phenotype and subclinical atherosclerosis.
E
Exposure
Hypertriglyceridemic waist (HTGW) phenotype (simultaneous increase in serum triglyceride and waist circumference)
C
Comparator
Controls without the hypertriglyceridemic waist phenotype
O
Outcome
Subclinical atherosclerosis (assessed by carotid intima-media thickness, carotid plaque presence, or general carotid ultrasonography)surrogate

Main Result

Odds Ratio: 2.39 (95% CI 1.63–3.51)

The hypertriglyceridemic waist phenotype is a simple and inexpensive screening tool that is significantly associated with a 2.4-fold increased odds of subclinical atherosclerosis.

Limitations

  • Limited evidence base with only six studies comprising 2,136 participants.
  • Small number of studies precluded a formal assessment of publication bias.
  • Considerable methodological diversity and significant statistical heterogeneity (I2 = 63.6%) among included studies.
  • Variations in diagnostic cutoffs for triglycerides and waist circumference.
  • Observational nature of the included studies limits the ability to establish a causal relationship.
  • Limited evidence base with only 6 studies and 2,136 participants
  • Small number of studies precluded formal assessment of publication bias
  • Considerable methodological diversity and variable quality scores
  • Significant statistical heterogeneity (I² = 63.6%) driven by IMT measurement studies
  • Observational nature of included studies limits causal inference

Cite This Study

Xiong et al. (2026) conducted a meta-analysis in Subclinical atherosclerosis (n=2,136). Hypertriglyceridemic waist (HTGW) phenotype vs. Individuals without the hypertriglyceridemic waist phenotype was evaluated on Subclinical atherosclerosis (OR 2.39, 95% CI 1.63-3.51). The hypertriglyceridemic waist phenotype was significantly associated with increased odds of subclinical atherosclerosis (OR 2.39).

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a975f4f2855ae6cf374b06bhttps://doi.org/10.3389/fcvm.2025.1660540
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