Triglyceride-to-glucose index to detect a non-dipping circadian pattern in newly diagnosed hypertensive patients

Introduction: In this investigation, we aimed to explore the relationship between the triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index and the non-dipping blood pressure (BP) pattern in newly diagnosed hypertensive patients.

Methods: In this retrospective study, 216 consecutive newly diagnosed hypertensive patients who had undergone 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure (ABPM) monitoring and had not received anti-hypertensive drugs were included. Non-dipping status was evaluated by a 24-h ABPM monitoring in all patients. We categorized the patients into two groups as; dippers (n=104 cases) and non-dippers (n=112 cases). The TyG index was derived from the fasting triglyceride and fasting glucose levels using the formula; ln[fasting triglyceride (mg/dL) × fasting glucose (mg/dL)/2].

Results: Non-dipper group had a higher TyG index than the dipper group. The TyG was an independent predictor of non-dipping BP in hypertensive individuals, according to multivariable analysis. The TyG index was negatively associated with a decrease in both systolic and diastolic BP during the nighttime. The ideal cutoff value of the TyG index in detecting non-dipping status was≥9.01 with 74.1% sensitivity and 71.2% specificity. A ROC comparison indicated that the area under the curve value of TyG index was superior to fasting triglyceride, fasting glucose, and homeostasis model assessment of IR (HOMA-IR) in detecting non-dipping BP.

Conclusion: The TyG index was an independent predictor of non-dipping status in newly diagnosed hypertensive patients who had undergone 24-hour ABPM monitoring and had not received anti-hypertensive drugs. As a simple and easily obtained parameter, the TyG index can be used to detect such pattern among these patients.