Association between triglyceride glucose body mass index and cardiovascular disease in adults: evidence from NHANES 2011- 2020

The association between insulin resistance and cardiovascular diseases (CVD) is of significant interest. However, there is limited published research on the relationship between CVD and the triglyceride glucose-body mass index (TyG-BMI). This study aims to examine the association between TyG-BMI and CVD in US adults.We analyzed data from 11016 adults collected through the 2011-2020 NHANES. Employing weighted generalized linear models, subgroup analysis, sensitivity analysis, and receiver operating characteristic curves, we examined the association between the TyG-BMI index and CVD. Nonlinear associations were investigated using restricted cubic splines.Higher TyG-BMI values were significantly associated with an increased prevalence of CVD (P<0.001). Weighted generalized linear models consistently demonstrated a positive association across all models. Specifically, individuals in the highest tertile of TyG-BMI had a 38% higher CVD prevalence than those in the lowest quartile (OR=1.380; 95% CI=1.080, 1.763). Unweighted logistic regression models further confirmed these findings. Sex, race, education, family income to poverty ratio, smoking, hypertension, and diabetes did not modify this positive association (P for interaction >0.05). Incorporating the TyG-BMI index into traditional risk factor models marginally improved the prediction of CVD prevalence (P for comparison <0.05).The TyG-BMI index, an indicator of insulin resistance, is significantly positive associated with a higher prevalence of CVD. These findings underscore the importance of managing insulin resistance to prevent CVD and highlight the need for further research into the underlying mechanisms of this association.