High Triglyceride Index Increases Ischemic Stroke Risk After Previous Stroke

A higher triglyceride and glucose (TyG) index is associated with an increased risk for ischemic stroke (IS) in the general population and adverse clinical outcomes, including stroke recurrence and mortality in those who experienced stroke, according to study findings published in Cardiovascular Diabetology.

Researchers conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of 18 studies that comprised 592,635 individuals. The study was divided into 2 groups: the general population (n=554,334) and those who experienced prior stroke (n=38,301).

The researchers analyzed 8 studies of the general population and observed that participants with a higher TyG index had a 37.1% increased risk for IS (odds ratio [OR], 1.37; 95% CI, 1.22-1.54). After analyzing 10 IS population studies, the researchers found that those with a higher TyG index had an increased risk for stroke recurrence (OR, 1.50; 95% CI, 1.19-1.89) and all-cause mortality (OR, 1.40; 95% CI, 1.14-1.71) among participants who experienced prior stroke. However, no association was found between a higher TyG index and functional decline (OR, 1.12; 95% CI, 0.88-1.43) or neurological decline (OR, 1.76; 95% CI, 0.79-3.95).

Limitations of the study include a lack of generalizability of the study results to other countries and ethnic groups. Also, the measurement of the TyG index is nonstandardized across institutions, therefore some variance may be associated with calculation methods.

The researchers conclude, “[T]here was a positive association between TyG index and increased risk of incident IS and this relationship remained in a stable state even as covariates changed. Meanwhile, TyG index was significantly associated with an increased risk of stroke recurrence and mortality, though not with poor functional outcome and neurologic worsening in stroke patients.”

This article originally appeared on Endocrinology Advisor