7091 Triglyceride Glucose Index Is Strongly Associated With Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in the Normal BMI US Population

Abstract Disclosure: H. Ayesh: None. K.D. Niswender: None. B.G. Carranza Leon: None. Introduction: Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) poses a growing global health threat. The surge in NAFLD, often linked to metabolic disorders such as diabetes and obesity, underscores the urgency for effective screening methods. Traditional approaches rely on indicators that involve elevated BMI and/or liver function tests to identify individuals at risk of NAFLD. The Triglyceride-Glucose Index (TyG Index), calculated as ln(Fasting Triglycerides × Fasting Glucose/2), may be a promising NAFLD risk prediction tool. Our study aims to investigate the correlation between the TyG Index and NAFLD in the normal BMI population, utilizing data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Methods: A total of 1130 subjects with a normal Body Mass Index (BMI) (18.5 - 24.9) were selected from the NHANES study. The primary goal was to explore the correlation between hepatic steatosis and the Triglyceride-Glucose (TyG) index. The study population was categorized into TyG quartiles. Regression analysis was conducted while controlling for confounding variables such as BMI, Hemoglobin A1c, and age. Hepatic steatosis was evaluated using the Fibroscan technique, with the Median Controlled Attenuation Parameter (CAP) as the quantitative indicator. Results/Discussion: The study found a significant correlation between steatosis and the Triglyceride-Glucose Index (TyG), with an odds ratio of 3.75, a P-value < 0.001 between the lowest and highest quartile, and a confidence interval of 2.385 to 5.99. This correlation increased across higher quartiles (2-1, 3-1, 4-1) with odds ratios of 1.34, 1.91, and 3.75, revealing a dose-response relationship with higher TyG. These findings remained significant after adjusting for BMI and hemoglobin A1c, key NAFLD risk factors. The TyG index is valuable for identifying high-risk NAFLD patients, especially those with a normal BMI. Unlike other calculators like Fatty Liver Index and Hepatic Steatosis Index, TyG does not rely on BMI. The study unveiled a racial difference in the correlation between TyG and NAFLD, with a weaker TyG-NAFLD association in African Americans and a stronger one in Asians. This discovery emphasizes the need for future large-scale studies to explore potential genetic components and the potential of the TyG index to modulate genetic predisposition to NAFLD. Presentation: 6/2/2024