Association of triglyceride‑glucose index in branch retinal vein occlusion

Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol. 2024 Feb 1. doi: 10.1007/s00417-024-06376-2. Online ahead of print.

Abstract

Background: To investigate the association between the triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index and newly diagnosed branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) in patients.

Methods: The study included 57 individuals with BRVO and a control group comprising 50 healthy volunteers matched for age and gender. Detailed eye examinations were conducted, and various blood biochemistry and hematological parameters were recorded. The TyG index was calculated using fasting plasma glucose and triglyceride values.

Results: The mean age was 61.4 ± 9.6 years for the BRVO group and 60.6 ± 10.3 years for the control group. The TyG values were significantly higher in the BRVO group when compared to the control group (8.84 ± 0.41 vs. 8.52 ± 0.29, p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis revealed that the TyG index independently predicted BRVO (odds ratio = 2.58, 95% confidence interval = 1.69-3.93; p < 0.001). In receiver operating characteristics analysis, the TyG index had an area under the curve of 0.749, and a TyG index higher than 8.52 predicted BRVO with 83% sensitivity and 70% specificity.

Conclusions: This study establishes a significant association between an elevated TyG index and BRVO. Consequently, the TyG index could serve as a valuable predictive tool for identifying individuals at risk for BRVO.

Keywords: Atherosclerosis; BRVO; Branch retinal vein occlusion; Triglyceride-glucose index; TyG index.