The Relationship between Triglycerides-Glucose (TyG) Index and Kidney Stones Among Patients in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Abstract BACKGROUNDː Urolithiasis, or kidney stone disease, is a prevalent condition worldwide, with recurrence rates posing significant healthcare challenges. Metabolic factors, including insulin resistance, have been implicated in kidney stone formation, with the triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index emerging as a reliable marker of insulin resistance. However, limited studies have explored its association with renal stones. METHODSː A cross-sectional study was conducted at King Saud University Medical City (KSUMC) from 2016 to 2024. Data were collected from electronic medical records, including demographics, clinical history, and laboratory findings. Patients with known renal stones and available fasting glucose and triglyceride levels were included, while those with incomplete data or specific exclusions (age <18, pregnancy) were omitted. The TyG index was calculated as ln [fasting triglycerides (mg/dL) × fasting glucose (mg/dL)/2], With the cutoff point being high ≥ 8.45 < low. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS, with significance set at p ≤ 0.05. RESULTSː A total of 375 eligible participants were analyzed, with a mean BMI of 30.37 ± 6.1 kg/m² and a mean TyG index of 7.30 ± 0.67. The majority were male (65.1%) and aged 40-59 years (55.5%). No significant associations were found between age, gender, and TyG index (p > 0.05). The high TyG Index group had a slightly higher BMI and a higher proportion of obesity compared to the low TyG Index group. A significant association was observed between elevated total cholesterol and higher TyG index levels (p < 0.05), though no participants in the high TyG index group exhibited elevated triglyceride levels. CONCLUSIONSː The study found no significant association between age, gender, and the TyG Index. However, individuals with a high TyG Index had slightly higher average BMI values. Participants with a high TyG Index also had a higher prevalence of elevated total cholesterol levels. No significant associations were observed for other health parameters. Further longitudinal studies are needed to explore the potential role of insulin resistance in nephrolithiasis and validate the TyG index as a predictive marker.