Abstract:Objective To explore the correlation between triglyceride glucose (TyG) index and arteriosclerosis in natural population, and whether TyG index could be used as a predictor of poor prognosis of cardio-cerebrovascular diseases. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted on 4 355 adults recruited from the natural population in the community of Gaoyou City, Jiangsu Province from 2009 to 2010. According to the TyG index quartiles, they were divided into Q1 group (TyG≤8.19,n=1 100), Q2 group (8.19＜TyG≤8.55,n=1 080), Q3 group (8.55＜TyG≤8.99,n=1 103), Q4 group (TyG＞8.99,n=1 072). Taking brachial-ankle pulse wave conduction velocity (baPWV) as the observation index of arteriosclerosis, the correlation between TyG index and baPWV was analyzed by univariate and multivariate linear regression. A restricted cubic spline function diagram with multivariate correction was performed to explore whether there was a nonlinear correlation between TyG index and baPWV. Results After adjusting for confounding factors, compared with Q1 group, the regression coefficient and its 95%CI of TyG index affecting baPWV among Q2, Q3 and Q4 groups were 0.11 (-0.07-0.29), 0.41 (0.23-0.59) and 0.97 (0.78-1.16), respectively (trend testP＜0.01). Restricted cubic spline analysis showed a linear positive correlation between TyG index and baPWV. The mediator effect analysis also showed that TyG index partially mediated the impact on baPWV through inflammation. Conclusion TyG index is linearly and positively correlated with atherosclerosis.