Skip to main content

ORIGINAL RESEARCH article

Front. Endocrinol., 10 October 2023
Sec. Clinical Diabetes
This article is part of the Research Topic Women in Clinical Diabetes View all 14 articles

Association of triglyceride-glucose index levels with gestational diabetes mellitus in the US pregnant women: a cross-sectional study

Yan Zeng,Yan Zeng1,2Li YinLi Yin1Xiaoping YinXiaoping Yin1Danqing Zhao*Danqing Zhao1*
  • 1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
  • 2Guiyang Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Guiyang Children’s Hospital, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China

Objective: This investigation aimed to assess the correlation between the triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in pregnant women in the United States.

Methods: We calculated the TyG index utilizing data from pregnant women who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) through 1999 to March 2020, and then employed multivariate logistic regression, smoothed curve fitting, and subgroup analysis to investigate the association between the TyG index and gestational diabetes during pregnancy.

Results: Logistic regression models revealed a positive association between the TyG index and GDM, remaining significant even after adjusting for all confounding variables (OR=3.43, 95% CI: 1.20-9.85, P = 0.0216). Subgroup analysis demonstrated consistent correlations and showed that there is no difference in the TyG index among first trimester subgroup. The TyG index had limited diagnostic efficacy for GDM (AUC=0.57, 95% CI: 0.50-0.63).

Conclusion: The TyG index correlates positively with the GDM, however its diagnostic efficacy is limited. Further research on the TyG index as an early predictor of GDM is required.

Introduction

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) refers to varying degrees of glucose intolerance that occur or are identified for the first time during pregnancy, irrespective of pre-existing diabetes (1). Over the last few years, the incidence of GDM has gradually increased, ranging from 9.3% to 25.5% (2). GDM is often associated with preeclampsia, macrosomia, perinatal anomalies, and mortality, while being closely linked to the onset of metabolic syndrome and hyperglycemia in both mother and offspring (3). This condition significantly affects the well-being of pregnant women and fetuses and poses a concealed risk for future ailments (4, 5). Clinical diagnosis of GDM typically occurs during the 24-28 week gestational period using a 75g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) (6). However, empirical evidence suggests that by the time GDM is diagnosed at this stage, both the mother and fetus may have already been adversely affected to varying degrees, despite the potential benefits of symptom management (5, 7). Thus, early recognition of pregnancies at risk for GDM is essential in preventing negative outcomes for pregnancy and intergenerational transmission of metabolic disorders.

Early detection of insulin resistance (IR) in pregnant women has been shown to assist in predicting the onset of GDM before clinical diagnosis (8, 9). The TyG index, calculated from fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and serum triglycerides (TG), is considered a straightforward, economical, replicable, and reliable surrogate for IR (10, 11). While many studies have investigated the relationship between the TyG index and GDM, suggesting its potential as an early GDM risk indicator (12, 13), there may be variations between ethnic groups. For instance, Sánchez-García et al. (14) found no significant difference in TyG index values between Latin American pregnant women with and without gestational diabetes. A meta-analysis by Song et al. (15) indicated that a higher TyG index may predict GDM in Asian women but not in non-Asian women. Therefore, using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), we conducted a cross-sectional investigation with a population of pregnant women in the United States to assess the connection between the TyG index and GDM.

Materials and methods

Study populations

The present investigation utilized the NHANES database, covering data from 1999 through March 2020. NHANES was originally designed to collect comprehensive data on the nutritional and health conditions of adults and children in the United States, employing a complex multi-stage random sampling process for its surveys. The study protocols for these surveys were authorized by the National Center for Health Statistics Ethics Review Committee, and all participants provided informed consent before data collection. For more detailed information, refer to http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nhanes/index.htm.

The study’s cohort comprised women between the ages of 20 and 44 years (n=1469) who had positive urine test result for human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). Participants lacking FPG and TG data (n=781), as well as those diagnosed with diabetes or using diabetic medication or insulin (n=27), were excluded. Ultimately, the final sample size consisted of 661 individuals.

Measurements and definitions

Samples of blood were collected in the morning hours after an 8.5-hour fast and processed to determine the concentrations of fasting blood glucose and fasting total triglycerides with an automatic biochemical analyzer. The TyG index was calculated using the formula: Ln [TG (mg/dL) × FPG (mg/dL)/2] (11). GDM was ascertained according to the fasting plasma glucose threshold of 5.1 mmol/L from the strategy recommended by the International Association of Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Groups (IADPSG) Consensus Panel (16) and the American Diabetes Association’s one-step OGTT (17) for the identification and evaluation of hyperglycemia conditions in pregnancy.

Covariates

This study incorporated various covariates that could potentially influence the association between the TyG index and the risk of developing GDM. The demographic variables considered were age, race, education level, poverty income ratio (PIR), body mass index (BMI), hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, smoking status, alcohol consumption, total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), glycohemoglobin (HbA1c), and self-reported gestational age.

Statistical analysis

Continuous variable data was presented as mean ± SD (standard deviations), while categorical variables were represented as percentages. To assess differences in baseline characteristics between the non-GDM and GDM groups, the Kruskal-Wallis H test (for continuous variables) and the chi-square test (for categorical variables) were used. The logistic regression model was then applied to evaluate the association between the TyG index and GDM. Multiple models were used to measure the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) while adjusting for confounding factors. The first model (crude model) did not include any covariate adjustments, while Model 1 accounted for age and race. Model 2 included additional adjustments for education level, BMI, PIR, HDL-C, LDL-C, TC, HbA1c, gestational age, hypertension history, and hypercholesterolemia history, building upon the adjustments made in Model 1. Furthermore, the TyG index was divided into tertiles, with the first tertile serving as the reference for trend analysis. Three models were employed for multivariate analyses, controlling for variables and fitting a smooth curve. Subgroup analyses were conducted based on age, race, education level, BMI, hypertension status, hypercholesterolemia status, and gestational age using stratified multivariate regression analysis. Log-likelihood ratio analysis was performed to assess interaction and investigate heterogeneity of connections among subgroups. A P value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. To determine the diagnostic effectiveness of the TyG index for GDM, the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used and the area under the ROC curve (AUC) was calculated to quantify its screening value. All statistical analyses were conducted using R packages 3.4.3 and EmpowerStats software 4.1.

Results

Baseline characteristics of the participants

The present study comprised 661 pregnant women with an average age of 28.01 ± 5.30 years. Among the participants, 119 (18%) were diagnosed with GDM. Table 1 presents a comprehensive comparison between non-GDM and GDM pregnancies. The occurrence or absence of GDM showed significant associations with age, BMI, drinking status, gestational age, TC, LDL-C, HDL-C, HbA1c, and TyG index (P < 0.05). Compared to non-GDM pregnant women, those with GDM were characterized by advanced age, abstinence from alcohol consumption, lower levels of TC and LDL-C, higher HbA1c and BMI, and elevated levels of TyG index.

TABLE 1
www.frontiersin.org

Table 1 Baseline characteristics of participants.

TyG index and GDM correlation in various models

The logistic regression models were used to examine the correlation between different TyG index levels and GDM. In the crude model (Table 2), a significant positive association was observed between the TyG index and GDM (OR=1.16, 95% CI: 1.11-2.35, P=0.0124). After full adjustment in Model 2, this positive association remained consistent (OR=3.43, 95% CI: 1.20-9.85, P=0.0216), indicating that each incremental unit of the TyG index was associated with a 2.43-fold increased risk of gestational diabetes.

TABLE 2
www.frontiersin.org

Table 2 Logistic regression analysis for the relationship between various TyG index and GDM in different models.

For sensitivity analysis, we categorized the TyG index into tertiles. In Model 2, the OR for Tertile 3-TyG index was 3.92 (CI: 1.16-13.25, P=0.0282) compared to Tertile 1-TyG index, representing a significant 2.92-fold increase in the likelihood of GDM in Tertile 3. However, there was no statistically significant difference between Tertile 1 and Tertile 2 (OR=1.62; 95% CI: 0.69–3.08; P=0.2660).

The results of the smoothing curve fitting further demonstrated a positive association between the TyG index and the likelihood of GDM incidence, as shown in Figure 1 (P for nonlinearity > 0.05).

FIGURE 1
www.frontiersin.org

Figure 1 The association between TyG index and GDM. The solid red line represents the smooth curve fit between variables. Blue bands represent the 95% confidence interval from the fit.

Subgroup analysis

The findings of our subgroup analysis indicate that the associations among the TyG index and GDM were inconsistent, as presented in Table 3. This was observed across subgroups stratified by age, race, education level, PIR, BMI, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and gestational age. However, interaction testing revealed that these parameters had no significant effect on the correlation that existed between gestational diabetes and the TyG index (all P values for interaction>0.05).

TABLE 3
www.frontiersin.org

Table 3 Subgroup analysis of the associations between the TyG index and GDM.

Diagnostic efficacy of TyG index for GDM

Analyzing the diagnostic effectiveness of the TyG index using a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (Figure 2). The TyG index cut-off value for diagnosing GDM is 9.07 (AUC=0.57, 95% CI: 0.50-0.62, sensitivity=40.34%, specificity=74.54%). AUC values higher than 0.5 are regarded as having diagnostic utility.

FIGURE 2
www.frontiersin.org

Figure 2 The ROC curve of the TyG index for diagnosing GDM. AUC = 0.57 (95% CI: 0.50-0.62, cut-off value is 9.07, sensitivity = 40.34%, specificity = 74.54%).

Discussion

This study further explored the correlation between TyG index and GDM using the nationally representative NHANES database. According to the results, pregnant women in the highest quartile of the TyG index had a 2.92-fold increased risk of developing GDM compared to those in the lowest quartile. The association between gestational diabetes mellitus and TyG index remains significant even after adjusting for all possible confounders, while the AUC of TyG index for predicting GDM was 0.57. It is noteworthy that the present study is the first to report a linear positive association between TyG index and GDM after adjusting for confounding variables, utilizing a population of pregnant women from the NHANES database from 1999 to 2020. Furthermore, the results of the subgroup analyses demonstrate the robustness of our findings.

The TyG index is a composite biochemical indicator that reflects the integrated influence of blood lipids and glucose. It has been reported to demonstrate high sensitivity in identifying insulin resistance among healthy individuals (11). Li et al. (18) conducted a cohort study that demonstrated a distinct association of the TyG index with an elevated probability of incident diabetes, suggesting its potential as a predictive indicator for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The TyG index has been shown to be valuable in various cardiovascular disease types, including stable coronary artery disease, acute coronary syndromes, in-stent restenosis, arterial stiffness, coronary artery calcification, and heart failure (19). Meanwhile, multiple research investigations have revealed a strong correlation between the various factors of the TyG index and the risk of cardiovascular disease occurrence in both normal-weight individuals (20) and those suffering from non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (21). In a study of pregnant women, Pan et al. (22) observed that the TyG index in the early trimester of pregnancy is closely associated with the development of gestational hypertension and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Moreover, recent cohort studies have demonstrated a statistically significant association between the TyG index and the risk of developing gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), indicating its efficacy as a predictor for both GDM and large for gestational age newborns (12, 23, 24).

GDM’s pathophysiology involves beta cell dysfunction and tissue insulin resistance during pregnancy. Elevated glucose levels can trigger islet beta cells to create reactive oxygen species, leading to oxidative stress and cell dysfunction, culminating in insulin resistance (25). Pregnant women, especially those with GDM, often exhibit elevated serum triglyceride levels, potentially impairing pancreatic beta cell function (26, 27). Early identification of GDM risk using reliable insulin resistance indicators is crucial to prevent adverse consequences. The TyG index is considered a cost-effective and efficient indicator of insulin resistance compared to other methods like Homeostatic Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR), as it eliminates the need for measuring insulin levels (28, 29). Its advantage lies in its ability to be derived from a single sample, making it highly suitable for various clinical applications (30).

Age, race, obesity, inheritance, smoking, and various risk factors collectively contribute to insulin resistance or GDM occurrence (31, 32). In this investigation, we comprehensively considered age, race, BMI, history of hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, alcohol use, smoking status, and gestational age as stratifying variables. Subgroup analysis and interaction tests consistently demonstrated correlations across different groups. Interestingly, our results from the subgroup analysis revealed that individuals aged <35 years, Mexican Americans, and those with a BMI ≥25 kg/m² exhibited a higher risk of GDM. BMI and age, two important characteristics related with insulin resistance, have a major influence on the development of GDM. It has been observed that maternal pre-pregnancy obesity substantially increases the risk of developing GDM, with an odds ratio (OR) of 1.63 (95% CI: 1.320-2.019), whereas the adjusted OR for older mothers (≥35 years) was 1.45 (95% CI: 1.184-1.776). This suggests that while age is indeed a risk factor for GDM, BMI exerts a greater influence on its development (33). Moreover, BMI serves as a crucial indicator for GDM in pregnant women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Previous reports have highlighted that pregnant women affected by PCOS face an elevated risk of developing GDM if their BMI exceeds 28 kg/m² (34). However, the results of our analysis showed that a higher maternal TyG index during the first trimester of pregnancy did not significantly associate with GDM, raising concerns about using the TyG index as an early predictor of GDM. This finding aligns with a recent meta-analysis, suggesting that triglyceride variations during pregnancy and individual differences may contribute to these results (35). The limitations of the TyG index, derived from static measurements of fasting glucose and triglycerides, might not fully capture the intricate interactions of insulin sensitivity, insulin secretion, and glucose metabolism as assessed through oral or intravenous glucose tolerance tests (22, 36). Moreover, various factors affecting triglyceride metabolism, such as nutrition, alcohol use, antioxidants, medications, liver function, and genetic variations, could also impact the TyG index (19, 37, 38).

The predictive ability of the TyG index for GDM has been extensively investigated by multiple researchers. Liu et al. (24) reported an AUC of 0.686 (95% CI: 0.615-0.756) for the TyG index in predicting the risk of GDM. Similarly, Li et al. (12) demonstrated the potential of the TyG index in detecting the risk of GDM, with an AUC of 0.637 (95% CI: 0.626~0.649). Another study by Khan et al. (39) found that the TyG index exhibited the highest AUC, surpassing HbA1c and other biomarkers, with a predictive AUC of 0.712 (95% CI: 0.631-0.793) for GDM. In our study, we observed a limited effectiveness of the TyG index in predicting GDM, with an AUC of 0.57 (95% CI: 0.50-0.62). Differences in the reported ROC curves for the diagnosis of GDM using the TyG index may arise from various factors, including disparities in study populations, sample sizes, calculation methods, and reference standards utilized to diagnose GDM. Notably, in our study, the use of fasting blood glucose rather than the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) as the reference standard for GDM may have contributed to the observed discrepancy. While the TyG index as a composite indicator seems to reflect insulin resistance in pregnant women, further research is indispensable to fully explore its potential for early prediction of gestational diabetes.

Acknowledging the limitations of our research is essential. Firstly, the cross-sectional design using data from the NHANES database prevented us from establishing a direct causal association between the TyG index and the risk of developing GDM during pregnancy. Secondly, GDM recognition in this study relied solely on fasting plasma glucose, rather than using the more comprehensive OGTT. Several studies have indicated that our GDM categorization based only on fasting glucose may have an approximate 26% misclassification rate (40), potentially leading to an underestimation of GDM instances and influencing result interpretation. Thirdly, due to the cross-sectional design of the NHANES, all variable measurements were taken at a single point during a woman’s pregnancy, and trimester verification relied on pregnant women’s self-reports. Additionally, to avoid biased results, we did not compare the TyG index and HOMA-IR as distinct risk parameters for GDM, as the data for insulin levels in pregnant women had a substantial number of missing values. Future research is necessary to better predict GDM and its complications by incorporating the TyG index along with other clinical and biochemical parameters. Investigating potential mechanisms underlying the association between the TyG index and GDM, including the roles of adipokines, oxidative stress, inflammation, and insulin resistance, is also crucial. Despite these limitations, our study demonstrates a correlation between the gestational TyG index and GDM.

Conclusion

The present research demonstrated a positive correlation between the TyG index and gestational diabetes in pregnant women in the US. However, the diagnostic validity of TyG index for GDM is limited. Further investigation is needed to fully explore the potential of the TyG index as a predictor of GDM risk in early pregnancy.

Data availability statement

Publicly available datasets were analyzed in this study. This data can be found here: https://wwwn.cdc.gov/nchs/nhanes.

Author contributions

YZ: conceptualization, statistical analysis, manuscript writing and editing. LY: methodology, reviewing and editing. XY: statistical analysis, reviewing. DZ: conceptualization, methodology, reviewing and editing. All authors contributed to the article and approved the submitted version.

Funding

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 81960284) and Guizhou Provincial Science and Technology Program (No:2022183).

Acknowledgments

The authors express their gratitude towards the participants and staff of the NHANES database for their noteworthy contributions.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Publisher’s note

All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article, or claim that may be made by its manufacturer, is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.

References

1. Diagnostic criteria and classification of hyperglycaemia first detected in pregnancy: a World Health Organization Guideline. Diabetes Res Clin Pract (2014) 103:341–63. doi: 10.1016/j.diabres.2013.10.012

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

2. HAPO Study Cooperative Research Group, Metzger BE, Lowe LP, Dyer AR, Trimble ER, Chaovarindr U, et al. Hyperglycemia and adverse pregnancy outcomes. N Engl J Med (2008) 358:1991–2002. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa0707943

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

3. Bianco ME, Josefson JL. Hyperglycemia during pregnancy and long-term offspring outcomes. Curr Diabetes Rep (2019) 19:143. doi: 10.1007/s11892-019-1267-6

CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

4. Sellers EAC, Dean HJ, Shafer LA, Martens PJ, Phillips-Beck W, Heaman M, et al. Exposure to gestational diabetes mellitus: impact on the development of early-onset type 2 diabetes in Canadian first nations and non-first nations offspring. Diabetes Care (2016) 39:2240–6. doi: 10.2337/dc16-1148

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

5. Abokaf H, Shoham-Vardi I, Sergienko R, Landau D, Sheiner E. In utero exposure to gestational diabetes mellitus and long term endocrine morbidity of the offspring. Diabetes Res Clin Pract (2018) 144:231–5. doi: 10.1016/j.diabres.2018.09.003

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

6. International Association of Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Groups Consensus Panel, Metzger BE, Gabbe SG, Persson B, Buchanan TA, Catalano PA, et al. International association of diabetes and pregnancy study groups recommendations on the diagnosis and classification of hyperglycemia in pregnancy. Diabetes Care (2010) 33:676–82. doi: 10.2337/dc09-1848

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

7. Li P, Lin S, Li L, Cui J, Zhou S, Fan J. First-trimester fasting plasma glucose as a predictor of gestational diabetes mellitus and the association with adverse pregnancy outcomes. Pak J Med Sci (2019) 35:95–100. doi: 10.12669/pjms.35.1.216

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

8. Lee S-H, Park S-Y, Choi CS. Insulin resistance: from mechanisms to therapeutic strategies. Diabetes Metab J (2022) 46:15–37. doi: 10.4093/dmj.2021.0280

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

9. Duo Y, Song S, Zhang Y, Qiao X, Xu J, Zhang J, et al. Predictability of HOMA-IR for gestational diabetes mellitus in early pregnancy based on different first trimester BMI values. J Pers Med (2022) 13:60. doi: 10.3390/jpm13010060

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

10. Khan SH, Sobia F, Niazi NK, Manzoor SM, Fazal N, Ahmad F. Metabolic clustering of risk factors: evaluation of Triglyceride-glucose index (TyG index) for evaluation of insulin resistance. Diabetol Metab Syndr (2018) 10:74. doi: 10.1186/s13098-018-0376-8

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

11. Simental-Mendía LE, Rodríguez-Morán M, Guerrero-Romero F. The product of fasting glucose and triglycerides as surrogate for identifying insulin resistance in apparently healthy subjects. Metab Syndr Relat Disord (2008) 6:299–304. doi: 10.1089/met.2008.0034

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

12. Li H, Miao C, Liu W, Gao H, Li W, Wu Z, et al. First-trimester triglyceride-glucose index and risk of pregnancy-related complications: A prospective birth cohort study in southeast China. Diabetes Metab Syndr Obes (2022) 15:3705–15. doi: 10.2147/DMSO.S378964

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

13. Pazhohan A, Rezaee Moradali M, Pazhohan N. Association of first-trimester maternal lipid profiles and triglyceride-glucose index with the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus and large for gestational age newborn. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med (2019) 32:1167–75. doi: 10.1080/14767058.2017.1402876

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

14. Sánchez-García A, Rodríguez-Gutiérrez R, Saldívar-Rodríguez D, Guzmán-López A, Mancillas-Adame L, González-Nava V, et al. Early triglyceride and glucose index as a risk marker for gestational diabetes mellitus. Int J Gynaecol Obstet (2020) 151:117–23. doi: 10.1002/ijgo.13311

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

15. Song T, Su G, Chi Y, Wu T, Xu Y, Chen C. Triglyceride-glucose index predicts the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Gynecol Endocrinol (2022) 38:10–5. doi: 10.1080/09513590.2021.1940932

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

16. International Association of Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Groups Consensus Panel, Metzger BE, Gabbe SG, Persson B, Buchanan TA, Catalano PA, et al. International association of diabetes and pregnancy study groups recommendations on the diagnosis and classification of hyperglycemia in pregnancy. Diabetes Care (2010) 33:676–82. doi: 10.2337/dc09-1848

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

17. American Diabetes Association. 2. Classification and diagnosis of diabetes: standards of medical care in diabetes-2020. Diabetes Care (2020) 43:S14–31. doi: 10.2337/dc20-S002

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

18. Li X, Li G, Cheng T, Liu J, Song G, Ma H. Association between triglyceride-glucose index and risk of incident diabetes: a secondary analysis based on a Chinese cohort study. Lipids Health Dis (2020) 19:236. doi: 10.1186/s12944-020-01403-7

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

19. Tao L-C, Xu J-N, Wang T-T, Hua F, Li J-J. Triglyceride-glucose index as a marker in cardiovascular diseases: landscape and limitations. Cardiovasc Diabetol (2022) 21:68. doi: 10.1186/s12933-022-01511-x

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

20. Tian X, Zuo Y, Chen S, Meng X, Chen P, Wang Y, et al. Distinct triglyceride-glucose trajectories are associated with different risks of incident cardiovascular disease in normal-weight adults. Am Heart J (2022) 248:63–71. doi: 10.1016/j.ahj.2022.02.014

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

21. Zhao J, Fan H, Wang T, Yu B, Mao SB, Wang X, et al. TyG index is positively associated with risk of CHD and coronary atherosclerosis severity among NAFLD patients. Cardiovasc Diabetol (2022) 21:123. doi: 10.1186/s12933-022-01548-y

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

22. Pan Y, Zou S, Xu Y, Di R, Gu H, Wang Z, et al. Is there any association between early trimester Triglyceride-glucose index and incidence of hypertensive disorder of pregnancy and adverse pregnancy outcomes? Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) (2023) 14:1093991. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1093991

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

23. Kim JA, Kim J, Roh E, Hong S, Lee Y, Baik SH, et al. Triglyceride and glucose index and the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus: A nationwide population-based cohort study. Diabetes Res Clin Pract (2021) 171:108533. doi: 10.1016/j.diabres.2020.108533

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

24. Liu PJ, Liu Y, Ma L, Yao AM, Chen XY, Hou YX, et al. The predictive ability of two triglyceride-associated indices for gestational diabetes mellitus and large for gestational age infant among Chinese pregnancies: A preliminary cohort study. DMSO Volume (2020) 13:2025–35. doi: 10.2147/DMSO.S251846

CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

25. Robertson R, Zhou H, Zhang T, Harmon JS. Chronic oxidative stress as a mechanism for glucose toxicity of the beta cell in type 2 diabetes. Cell Biochem Biophys (2007) 48:139–46. doi: 10.1007/s12013-007-0026-5

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

26. Jacqueminet S, Briaud I, Rouault C, Reach G, Poitout V. Inhibition of insulin gene expression by long-term exposure of pancreatic beta cells to palmitate is dependent on the presence of a stimulatory glucose concentration. Metabolism (2000) 49:532–6. doi: 10.1016/S0026-0495(00)80021-9

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

27. Wang D, Xu S, Chen H, Zhong L, Wang Z. The associations between triglyceride to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratios and the risks of gestational diabetes mellitus and large-for-gestational-age infant. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf) (2015) 83:490–7. doi: 10.1111/cen.12742

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

28. Matthews DR, Hosker JR, Rudenski AS, Naylor BA, Treacher DF, Turner RC, et al. Homeostasis model assessment: insulin resistance and fl-cell function from fasting plasma glucose and insulin concentrations in man. Diabetologia (1985) 28:412–9. doi: 10.1007/BF00280883

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

29. Bonora E, Targher G, Alberiche M, Bonadonna RC, Saggiani F, Zenere MB, et al. Homeostasis model assessment closely mirrors the glucose clamp technique in the assessment of insulin sensitivity: studies in subjects with various degrees of glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity. Diabetes Care (2000) 23:57–63. doi: 10.2337/diacare.23.1.57

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

30. Sánchez-García A, Rodríguez-Gutiérrez R, Mancillas-Adame L, González-Nava V, Díaz González-Colmenero A, Solis RC, et al. Diagnostic accuracy of the triglyceride and glucose index for insulin resistance: A systematic review. Int J Endocrinol (2020) 2020:4678526. doi: 10.1155/2020/4678526

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

31. Sweeting A, Wong J, Murphy HR, Ross GP. A clinical update on gestational diabetes mellitus. Endocr Rev (2022) 43:763–93. doi: 10.1210/endrev/bnac003

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

32. Zhang Y, Xiao C-M, Zhang Y, Chen Q, Zhang X-Q, Li X-F, et al. Factors associated with gestational diabetes mellitus: A meta-analysis. J Diabetes Res (2021) 2021:6692695. doi: 10.1155/2021/6692695

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

33. Mirabelli M, Tocci V, Donnici A, Giuliano S, Sarnelli P, Salatino A, et al. Maternal preconception body mass index overtakes age as a risk factor for gestational diabetes mellitus. J Clin Med (2023) 12:2830. doi: 10.3390/jcm12082830

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

34. Toulis KA, Goulis DG, Kolibianakis EM, Venetis CA, Tarlatzis BC, Papadimas I. Risk of gestational diabetes mellitus in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a systematic review and a meta-analysis. Fertil Steril (2009) 92:667–77. doi: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2008.06.045

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

35. Liu Y, Chi R, Jiang Y, Chen B, Chen Y, Chen Z. Triglyceride glycemic index as a biomarker for gestational diabetes mellitus: a systemic review and meta-analysis. Endocr Connect (2021) 10:1420–7. doi: 10.1530/EC-21-0234

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

36. Hong S, Han K, Park C-Y. The triglyceride glucose index is a simple and low-cost marker associated with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease: a population-based study. BMC Med (2020) 18:361. doi: 10.1186/s12916-020-01824-2

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

37. Abdel-Daim MM, Abo-El-Sooud K, Aleya L, Bungău SG, Najda A, Saluja R. Alleviation of drugs and chemicals toxicity: biomedical value of antioxidants. Oxid Med Cell Longev (2018) 2018:6276438. doi: 10.1155/2018/6276438

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

38. Copolovici D, Bungau S, Boscencu R, Tit DM, Copolovici L. The fatty acids composition and antioxidant activity of walnut cold press oil. Rev Chim (2017) 68:507–9. doi: 10.37358/RC.17.3.5489

CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

39. Khan SH, Shah MA, Shahid R, Sarwar U. Utility of TyG index in gestational diabetes mellitus. Rawal Med J (2022) 47:548–1.

Google Scholar

40. Kakad R, Anwar A, Dyer P, Webber J, Dale J. Fasting plasma glucose is not sufficient to detect ongoing glucose intolerance after pregnancy complicated by gestational diabetes. Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes (2010) 118:234–6. doi: 10.1055/s-0029-1241876

PubMed Abstract | CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar

Keywords: triglyceride-glucose index, gestational diabetes mellitus, cross-sectinal study, NHANES, insulin resistance

Citation: Zeng Y, Yin L, Yin X and Zhao D (2023) Association of triglyceride-glucose index levels with gestational diabetes mellitus in the US pregnant women: a cross-sectional study. Front. Endocrinol. 14:1241372. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1241372

Received: 16 June 2023; Accepted: 25 September 2023;
Published: 10 October 2023.

Edited by:

Åke Sjöholm, Gävle Hospital, Sweden

Reviewed by:

Daniela Patrizia Foti, Magna Græcia University, Italy
Siresha Bathina, Baylor College of Medicine, United States
Cosmin Mihai Vesa, University of Oradea, Romania

Copyright © 2023 Zeng, Yin, Yin and Zhao. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

*Correspondence: Danqing Zhao, emhhb2RhbnFpbmdAZ21jLmVkdS5jbg==

Disclaimer: All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.