Predictive value of the combined triglyceride-glucose and frailty index for cardiovascular disease and stroke in two prospective cohorts

Abstract Background The triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index is a validated surrogate for insulin resistance, while frailty reflects cumulative physiological decline. The combined impact of TyG-Frailty Index (TyGFI) has not been adequately explored. This study aimed to investigate the association betwee...

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Main Authors: Yi-Chang Zhao, Shi-Qi Wu, Jia-Kai Li, Zhi-Hua Sun, Bi-Kui Zhang, Rao Fu, Miao Yan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-08-01
Series:Cardiovascular Diabetology
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12933-025-02880-9
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author Yi-Chang Zhao
Shi-Qi Wu
Jia-Kai Li
Zhi-Hua Sun
Bi-Kui Zhang
Rao Fu
Miao Yan
author_facet Yi-Chang Zhao
Shi-Qi Wu
Jia-Kai Li
Zhi-Hua Sun
Bi-Kui Zhang
Rao Fu
Miao Yan
author_sort Yi-Chang Zhao
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background The triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index is a validated surrogate for insulin resistance, while frailty reflects cumulative physiological decline. The combined impact of TyG-Frailty Index (TyGFI) has not been adequately explored. This study aimed to investigate the association between TyGFI and the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and stroke. Methods A total of 5448 participants from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) and 1139 participants from the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) were included. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to estimate associations with CVD and stroke, adjusting for demographic, clinical, and lifestyle covariates. Restricted cubic spline (RCS) and subgroup analyses were employed to examine dose–response relationships and interaction effects. Results Higher TyGFI levels were associated with older age, adverse metabolic parameters, and increased prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia. In fully adjusted models, the highest TyGFI quartile was significantly associated with increased risks of CVD (CHARLS: OR 15.09, 95% CI 9.65–23.60; NHANES: OR 4.98, 95% CI 2.04–12.19) and stroke (CHARLS: OR 21.12, 95% CI 6.44–69.23; NHANES: OR 12.98, 95% CI 2.58–65.17), with consistent dose–response trends confirmed by RCS analyses. Subgroup analyses further demonstrated the robustness of these associations across diverse demographic and clinical strata. Conclusions TyGFI is a strong and independent predictor of CVD and stroke in two nationally representative cohorts. By integrating metabolic and functional risk dimensions, TyGFI provides a more comprehensive risk stratification tool, with significant implications for early identification and prevention of cardiovascular events in aging populations.
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spelling doaj-art-6a90c86c7d074fe4ac8d8bd7fde7e40a2025-08-20T03:04:22ZengBMCCardiovascular Diabetology1475-28402025-08-0124111510.1186/s12933-025-02880-9Predictive value of the combined triglyceride-glucose and frailty index for cardiovascular disease and stroke in two prospective cohortsYi-Chang Zhao0Shi-Qi Wu1Jia-Kai Li2Zhi-Hua Sun3Bi-Kui Zhang4Rao Fu5Miao Yan6Department of Pharmacy, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South UniversityDepartment of Pharmacy, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South UniversityDepartment of Pharmacy, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South UniversityDepartment of Pharmacy, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South UniversityDepartment of Pharmacy, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South UniversityDepartment of Pharmacy, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South UniversityDepartment of Pharmacy, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South UniversityAbstract Background The triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index is a validated surrogate for insulin resistance, while frailty reflects cumulative physiological decline. The combined impact of TyG-Frailty Index (TyGFI) has not been adequately explored. This study aimed to investigate the association between TyGFI and the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and stroke. Methods A total of 5448 participants from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) and 1139 participants from the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) were included. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to estimate associations with CVD and stroke, adjusting for demographic, clinical, and lifestyle covariates. Restricted cubic spline (RCS) and subgroup analyses were employed to examine dose–response relationships and interaction effects. Results Higher TyGFI levels were associated with older age, adverse metabolic parameters, and increased prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia. In fully adjusted models, the highest TyGFI quartile was significantly associated with increased risks of CVD (CHARLS: OR 15.09, 95% CI 9.65–23.60; NHANES: OR 4.98, 95% CI 2.04–12.19) and stroke (CHARLS: OR 21.12, 95% CI 6.44–69.23; NHANES: OR 12.98, 95% CI 2.58–65.17), with consistent dose–response trends confirmed by RCS analyses. Subgroup analyses further demonstrated the robustness of these associations across diverse demographic and clinical strata. Conclusions TyGFI is a strong and independent predictor of CVD and stroke in two nationally representative cohorts. By integrating metabolic and functional risk dimensions, TyGFI provides a more comprehensive risk stratification tool, with significant implications for early identification and prevention of cardiovascular events in aging populations.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12933-025-02880-9Triglyceride-glucose indexFrailty indexCardiovascular diseaseStrokePopulation-based cohort
spellingShingle Yi-Chang Zhao
Shi-Qi Wu
Jia-Kai Li
Zhi-Hua Sun
Bi-Kui Zhang
Rao Fu
Miao Yan
Predictive value of the combined triglyceride-glucose and frailty index for cardiovascular disease and stroke in two prospective cohorts
Cardiovascular Diabetology
Triglyceride-glucose index
Frailty index
Cardiovascular disease
Stroke
Population-based cohort
title Predictive value of the combined triglyceride-glucose and frailty index for cardiovascular disease and stroke in two prospective cohorts
title_full Predictive value of the combined triglyceride-glucose and frailty index for cardiovascular disease and stroke in two prospective cohorts
title_fullStr Predictive value of the combined triglyceride-glucose and frailty index for cardiovascular disease and stroke in two prospective cohorts
title_full_unstemmed Predictive value of the combined triglyceride-glucose and frailty index for cardiovascular disease and stroke in two prospective cohorts
title_short Predictive value of the combined triglyceride-glucose and frailty index for cardiovascular disease and stroke in two prospective cohorts
title_sort predictive value of the combined triglyceride glucose and frailty index for cardiovascular disease and stroke in two prospective cohorts
topic Triglyceride-glucose index
Frailty index
Cardiovascular disease
Stroke
Population-based cohort
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12933-025-02880-9
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