Elevated triglycerides/HDL-cholesterol ratio associated with insulin resistance

Background: Cardiovascular disease is the main cause of death worldwide and insulin resistance (IR) plays an important role for its development. In addition, IR has been associated with hypertension and metabolic syndrome according to the triglyceride/HDL-cholesterol (TG/HDL) ratio. We undertook this study to determine whether the TG/HDL ratio is associated with IR in apparently healthy subjects. Methods: A cross-sectional study including healthy men and nonpregnant women was performed. Individuals with IR were compared against subjects without IR. Variables studied were age, gender, body mass index, and waist circumference. Exclusion criteria were chronic diseases such as renal disease, hepatic disease, malignancy, and diabetes. Results: A total of 177 subjects were enrolled, 117 females (66.1%) and 60 males (33.9%). Of these, 145 (93 females and 52 males) with IR were compared against 32 subjects (24 females and 8 males) without IR. Elevated ratio TG/HDL ratio was detected in 89 (61.4%) and 12 (38.6%) subjects with and without IR, respectively. The elevated TG/HDL ratio was significantly associated with IR (OR 2.64, 95% CI = 1.12-6.29). Conclusions: In apparently healthy subjects, elevated TG/HDL ratio was significantly associated with the presence of IR.