Triglyceride-Glucose Index and Indian Diabetes Risk Score among Young Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Diabetes mellitus is an increasing public health concern, and identification of individuals at risk during early adulthood
may facilitate timely preventive interventions. The Triglyceride-Glucose (TyG) Index is a simple biochemical surrogate marker of
insulin resistance, whereas the Indian Diabetes Risk Score (IDRS) provides a practical assessment of diabetes risk using demographic,
anthropometric, behavioural and family-history factors.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 272 undergraduate medical students at a government tertiary care teaching
hospital over 18 months. Participants aged ≥18 years who were willing to participate were included, while students with diabetes,
cardiovascular disease or steroid use were excluded. Sociodemographic and lifestyle information was collected using a structured
questionnaire. Anthropometric measurements, including body mass index and waist circumference, were recorded. Fasting blood
samples were analysed for glucose and triglycerides. The TyG Index was calculated as ln [fasting triglycerides (mg/dL) × fasting
glucose (mg/dL)/2]. Diabetes risk was assessed using IDRS. Correlations between TyG Index and IDRS components were evaluated,
with p<0.05 considered statistically significant.
Results: The mean age of participants was 19.97 ± 1.02 years. Females constituted 69.5% and males 30.5% of the study population.
Mean BMI was 22.09 ± 4.20 kg/m² and mean waist circumference was 85.99 ± 7.56 cm. Mean fasting blood glucose, triglycerides
and TyG Index were 90.45 ± 10.15 mg/dL, 115.85 ± 36.61 mg/dL and 8.494 ± 0.412, respectively. According to IDRS, 61.8% had
low risk, 36.8% moderate risk and 1.5% high risk. No significant correlation was observed between TyG and total IDRS (r=0.025,
p=0.678), waist score (r=0.048, p=0.428), physical activity score (r=0.003, p=0.960), or family-history score (r=−0.002, p=0.979).
Conclusion: TyG Index was not significantly associated with IDRS or its assessed components among these young adults. Further
longitudinal studies are warranted.