Associations of triglyceride-glucose index with hyperuricemia among Royal Thai Army personnel

Abstract

Abstract Background Hyperuricemia has placed an immense burden on the global healthcare system. Studies have discovered a close correlation between serum uric acid (SUA) and insulin resistance (IR). The objective of this investigation is to examine the association between the triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index, a simple surrogate for IR, and the presence of hyperuricemia. Methods Between 2017 and 2021, an epidemiologic study was conducted on Royal Thai Army (RTA) personnel aged 35–60 years, involving a total of 231,286 participants. In the study, hyperuricemia was defined as a SUA level of 7 mg/dL and 6 mg/dL among male and female participants, respectively. Using linear regression analysis and logistic regression analysis, the association between the TyG index and SUA was determined. Results A positive relationship was demonstrated between the TyG index and the SUA. Overall, SUA increased by 0.32 per unit of TyG index growth (95% CI: 0.31–0.32). In comparison with the first quartile, employees in the fourth TyG quartile had a greater likelihood of having hyperuricemia [adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 2.45, 95% CI: 2.38–2.52]. Effect modification by obesity on the association between the TyG index and SUA was observed (P-interaction < 0.001). Among individuals with obesity, compared with the first TyG index quartile, the AOR for hyperuricemia was 2.15 (95% CI: 2.06–2.25) and 2.14 (95% CI: 1.81–2.53) for the fourth quartile of the TyG index for males and females, respectively. However, for nonobese personnel, in comparison to the top quartile of the TyG index, the AOR for hyperuricemia was 2.73 (95% CI:2.61–2.84) and 5.03 (95% CI: 4.03–6.29) for the fourth quartile of the TyG index for males and females, respectively. Personnel in the fourth TyG index quartile revealed that the prevalence of hyperuricemia reached 44.2%. Conclusion A robust positive association between the TyG index and SUA was illustrated among active-duty RTA personnel. Obesity was identified as a modifier influencing this relationship. Furthermore, individuals in the fourth quarter of the TyG index, regardless of their obesity status, could be considered appropriate candidates for screening SUA levels.