Dose–Response Relationship Between Triglyceride Glucose‐Waist Height Ratio Index and Cardiometabolic Multimorbidity Among Chinese Middle‐Aged and Older People

BACKGROUND: Cardiometabolic multimorbidity (CMM) is a growing public health challenge. The triglyceride glucose-waist height ratio (TyG-WHtR) is a novel index linked to metabolic disorders. This study explores the dose-response relationship between TyG-WHtR and CMM. METHODS: Data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS), including the 2011 baseline survey and the 2018 follow-up survey with an average follow-up duration of 7.0 years, were analyzed. Multivariate logistic regression and restricted cubic spline models assessed the TyG-WHtR-CMM relationship, adjusting for covariates. RESULTS: The study enrolled 6674 individuals, and 1140 patients with cardiometabolic multimorbidity and 5534 patients with non-cardiometabolic multimorbidity were documented over an average follow-up duration of 7.0 years. The fourth TyG-WHtR quartile group (Q4) had the highest CMM risk, with an odds ratio of 1.23 and a 95% confidence interval of 1.20-1.26. The restricted cubic spline regression model showed a nonlinear (p < 0.001) association between TyG-WHtR and CMM. Subgroup analyses showed that the positive association between TyG-WHtR and CMM was evident among females and ex-smokers. A notable interaction was observed between TyG-WHtR and variables like age and marital status. CONCLUSION: TyG-WHtR is a potential CMM predictor, and maintaining it within a moderate range may help prevent CMM.