Value of the triglyceride-glucose index and non-traditional blood lipid parameters in predicting metabolic syndrome in women with polycystic ovary syndrome

Hormones (Athens). 2023 Jun;22(2):263-271. doi: 10.1007/s42000-023-00438-6. Epub 2023 Feb 15.

Abstract

Purpose: Insulin resistance (IR) is common in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Metabolic syndrome (MS) includes, inter alia, IR, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and disturbances in glucose metabolism. The triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index and non-traditional lipid parameters are strong predictors of IR and cardiovascular disease and can be considered as screening indicators for MS. This study aimed to evaluate the predictive potential of non-traditional lipid parameters and the TyG index to identify MS in PCOS.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included 134 women diagnosed with PCOS (50 patients with comorbid MS and 84 patients without MS). Biochemical indices were collected, and triglycerides (TG)/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), total cholesterol (TC)/HDL-C, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C)/HDL-C, non-HDL-C, TyG, and TyG-BMI indices were calculated. Logistic regression analysis was used to compare and determine the association of the six parameters with MS, and the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the performance of each parameter in identifying MS in the PCOS population.

Results: After adjusting for age and body mass index (BMI), TG/HDL-C, TC/HDL-C, LDL-C/HDL-C, non-HDL-C, TyG, and TyG-BMI were associated with MS (all P<0.05). The odds ratios were 4.075 (0.891, 1.107), 3.121 (1.844, 5.282), 3.106 (1.734, 5.561), 2.238 (1.302, 3.848), 13.422 (4.364, 41.282), and 1.102 (1.056, 1.150), respectively. TG/HDL-C, TC/HDL-C, LDL-C/HDL-C, non-HDL-C, TyG, and TyG-BMI are effective predictors of MS in PCOS, and their cut-off values can be used for the early detection of MS. TyG-BMI had the strongest performance in predicting MS (area under the curve 0.905, 95% CI 0.855-0.956), and its optimal critical value for predicting MS was 202.542.

Conclusions: TG/HDL-C, TC/HDL-C, LDL-C/HDL-C, non-HDL-C, TyG, and TyG-BMI are novel, clinically convenient and practical markers for the early identification of MS risk in PCOS patients.

Keywords: Insulin resistance; Metabolic syndrome; Non-traditional lipids; Polycystic ovary syndrome; Triglyceride–glucose index.

MeSH terms

  • Blood Glucose / metabolism
  • Cholesterol, HDL
  • Cholesterol, LDL
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Glucose
  • Humans
  • Insulin Resistance*
  • Lipids
  • Lipoproteins
  • Metabolic Syndrome* / complications
  • Metabolic Syndrome* / diagnosis
  • Polycystic Ovary Syndrome* / complications
  • Polycystic Ovary Syndrome* / diagnosis
  • Triglycerides

Substances

  • Triglycerides
  • Glucose
  • Cholesterol, LDL
  • Lipids
  • Cholesterol, HDL
  • Lipoproteins
  • Blood Glucose