The Association Between Diabetic Nephropathy and Triglyceride/Glucose Index and Triglyceride/High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Ratio in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Background: In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between diabetic nephropathy (DN) and triglyceride/glucose (TyG) index and triglyceride/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (Tg/HDL-C) as surrogate markers of insulin resistance. Method: Medical records of 15,378 individuals between February 2019 and May 2024 were examined. Serum glucose, Tg, HDL-C, HbA1c, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and urine albumin/creatinine ratio (UACR) were evaluated and the TyG index and TG/HDL-C ratios were calculated for each individual. DN was defined as a UACR ≥ 30 mg/g and/or eGFR <60 mL/min/1.73 m². Results: Of 10,714 patients, DN was detected in 3763 (35.1%). Females had 10% higher odds of developing DN compared to males. A TyG index at or above the determined cutoff point (9.58) indicated a risk of DN and the sensitivity and specificity values were 44.01% and 71.28%, respectively. The risk of DN was 1.95 times higher in individuals with a TyG index value of ≥9.58 compared to those with a TyG index <9.58. While the Tg/HDL ratio was significant in detecting DN in the univariate analysis (odds ratio (OR) 1.59; 95% confidence interval 1.46–1.73), this significance was not found in the multivariate analysis (OR 1.15; 95% confidence interval 0.94–1.40). Conclusion: A high TyG index is associated with DN in patients with type 2 diabetes and it might be a potential marker in predicting DN.