Triglyceride–glucose index and liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis C

Abstract

Background: Insulin resistance is associated with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and liver fibrosis. The triglyceride–glucose (TyG) index is a low-cost surrogate derived from fasting triglyceride and glucose. This study aims to examine the association between TyG, fibrosis severity, glycemic status, and selected cardiometabolic variables. Methods: Cross-sectional study of 88 adults with chronic HCV at Binh Thanh District Hospital, Vietnam, from May 2020 to June 2021. Results: Mean TyG was 4.14 ± 0.52 and 47.7% met the study criterion for insulin resistance. TyG-defined insulin resistance increased from 18.2% in F0 to 79.3% in F4 (p<0.01). TyG correlated with liver stiffness (r=0.35, p<0.01), HOMA-IR (r=0.23, p<0.05), systolic blood pressure (r=0.22, p<0.05), and inversely with HDL-C (r=-0.24, p<0.05). Conclusion: Higher TyG was associated with more advanced fibrosis and an adverse metabolic profile.