Association Between the TyG Index and Liver Fat Content Measured by Quantitative CT in Individuals With T2DM: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

The triglyceride glucose (TyG) index is increasingly recognized as a simple yet reliable surrogate marker of insulin resistance. This study aimed to explore the relationship between the TyG index and liver fat content (LFC) quantified via quantitative computed tomography (QCT) in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This cross-sectional analysis included patients with T2DM who underwent QCT examinations at our institution between January and December 2024. QCT was used to measure tissue components at the mid-L2 vertebral level, including subcutaneous fat area (SFA), visceral fat area (VFA), and LFC. A multiple linear regression model was employed to assess the independent association between the TyG index and LFC. The study enrolled 168 participants, comprising 112 males and 56 females. Subjects in the highest TyG index tertile exhibited a more adverse cardiometabolic risk profile and higher LFC compared to those in the lowest tertile. Correlation analyses indicated that the TyG index was significantly associated with both SFA and LFC. After adjusting for age and gender, multiple linear regression confirmed that the TyG index remained independently and positively associated with LFC (β = 1.73, 95% CI: 0.08–3.38, p = 0.042). Stratified analyses revealed that the positive association between the TyG index and LFC was consistent across all strata, with no significant interactions observed for age, gender, duration of T2DM, and body mass index. Our findings suggest that the TyG index may serve as a reliable, noninvasive surrogate marker for evaluating LFC in individuals with T2DM.