Exploring Triglyceride-Glucose Index's Role in Sepsis-Associated Encephalopathy: A Comprehensive Study of Its Impact on Disease Severity and Prognostic Accuracy

Abstract

Abstract Background: Sepsis-associated encephalopathy (SAE) is a complex condition with variable outcomes. This study investigates the potential of the Triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index as a marker for disease severity and prognosis in SAE patients. Methods: Our cohort comprised 1578 SAE patients from the MIMIC-IV database, stratified based on TyG index tertiles. We analyzed baseline characteristics, disease severity, and prognostic outcomes. The Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression analyses were employed for survival analysis, while Spearman rank correlation and various statistical tests were used to assess correlations between TyG index and clinical outcomes. Results: The study population's median age was 65.96 years, predominantly male (60.1%). Higher TyG index scores correlated with elevated clinical severity scores (APSIII, LODS, OASIS, SAPSII, and CCI) and increased ICU and hospital stay durations. TyG index categorization revealed significant differences in 90-day survival probabilities, with "high TyG" associated with a 25% increased mortality risk compared to "low TyG". Furthermore, TyG index showed a moderate positive correlation with ICU stay duration and use of norepinephrine and vasopressin, but not with dopamine and epinephrine use. Conclusions: The TyG index is a significant independent predictor of disease severity and prognosis in SAE patients. High TyG levels correlate with worse clinical outcomes and increased mortality risk, suggesting its potential as a valuable tool in managing SAE.