Evaluation of the relationship between triglyceride glucose index and triglyceride/HDL ratio with metabolic parameters in prediabetic patients

Objective: Prediabetes represents a stage in which many metabolic complications have either not yet developed or remain at a subclinical level. Therefore, early diagnosis of prediabetes is critically important. In recent years, novel biomarkers such as the Triglyceride-Glucose (TyG) index and the Triglyceride-to-HDL cholesterol (TG/HDL-C) ratio have been increasingly utilized in the identification of prediabetes. This study aimed to evaluate the associations between the TyG index and TG/HDL-C ratio and various metabolic parameters in individuals with prediabetes, and to investigate the potential diagnostic value of these indices in predicting prediabetes. Material and Method: Prediabetic individuals and healthy subjects, serving as the control group, were included in this study. Vital signs, anthropometric measurements, and laboratory parameters of all participants were recorded. TyG and TG/HDL-C indices were statistically analyzed between groups and in relation to associated markers. Results: A total of 96 participants were included in the study, comprising 32 females and 17 males in the prediabetic group, and 27 females and 20 males in the control group. The mean age was 47 years (range: 23–70) in the prediabetic group and 32 years (range: 18–69) in the control group. Among laboratory parameters, HbA1c, glucose, uric acid, GGT, triglycerides, and LDH levels were significantly higher in the prediabetic group compared to the control group. A positive correlation was found between the TyG index and age, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, waist circumference, uric acid, HbA1c, glucose, and GGT levels. Similarly, the TG/HDL-C ratio was positively correlated with waist circumference, uric acid, HbA1c, and GGT. According to ROC curve analysis, a TyG index value above 4.51 predicted prediabetes with 61% specificity and 68% sensitivity (p = 0.007, AUC: 0.61, 95% CI: 0.55–0.77), while a TG/HDL-C ratio above 2 predicted prediabetes with 61% specificity and 57% sensitivity (p = 0.02, AUC: 0.64, 95% CI: 0.52–0.75). Conclusion: We conclude that the TyG index and TG/HDL-C ratio are simple and reliable parameters that may be used to support the diagnosis of prediabetes and to predict metabolic complications in prediabetic individuals.