The triglyceride glucose index is a marker of insulin resistance and is considered a simple and cost-effective method for assessing metabolic health. A recent article in the European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences highlights its potential correlation with psoriatic arthritis, suggesting its viability as a diagnostic tool for identifying psoriatic arthritis.
Tamer and colleagues conducted the retrospective study involving 91 patients from April 2019 to October 2022 to investigate the triglyceride glucose index in individuals with psoriasis. The study evaluated index levels both before and three months after the initiation of biological agent therapy. The results revealed a mean triglyceride glucose index of 8,137.20±5,294.01 in patients with psoriatic arthritis compared to 6,310.04±3,341.63 in those without (P=0.047). The median triglyceride glucose index for all patients pre- and post-biological agent treatment was 6,048 (4,597) and 5,095.5 (4,123), respectively (P=0.003). Notably, the reduction in the triglyceride glucose index following treatment exhibited statistical significance exclusively in patients treated with tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) inhibitors (P=0.026).
Recent studies suggest a potential association of triglyceride glucose index with a spectrum of diseases, including metabolic syndrome, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, pulmonary conditions, stroke, and cardiovascular diseases. Moreover, higher triglyceride glucose index levels have been correlated with an elevated risk of cardiovascular mortality. Notably, emerging reports indicate a possible indication of atherosclerosis in individuals with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis through the triglyceride glucose index.
The observed higher triglyceride glucose index levels in patients with psoriatic arthritis compared to those without arthritis suggest the potential utility of this index as a novel diagnostic biomarker for identifying the autoimmune disease. These insights contribute to our understanding of the intricate connections between metabolic indices and inflammatory conditions, opening avenues for further research and clinical applications in the management of psoriasis and related complications.
Reference
Tamer F, Atliya OE, Aksakal AB. Triglyceride glucose index: a novel biomarker in the management of patients with psoriasis. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2023 Dec;27(23):11275–80.