The association between triglyceride glucose index and depression: data from NHANES 2005–2018

BACKGROUND: The association between triglyceride glucose (TyG) index and depression is unclear. We conducted this analysis to explore whether higher TyG index is associated with a higher odd of depression. METHODS: This was an observational study using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2005–2018), a cross-sectional and nationally representative database. Depression was assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). TyG index was calculated based on the equation as follows: ln [triglyceride (mg/dL) × fasting blood glucose (mg/dL)/2], and participants were divided into quartiles based on TyG index. Weighted multivariable logistic regression models were used to explore the relationship between the TyG index and depression. RESULTS: A total of 13,350 patients were included, involving 1001 (7.50%) individuals with depression. Higher TyG index is significantly associated with elevated depressive symptoms in U.S. adults. Multivariate-adjusted HRs for patients in the TyG index 4th quartile were higher for depression (OR = 1.46; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.30, 1.64) compared with the 1st quartile of TyG index. Similar results were seen in men and women, across age groups, and baseline comorbidities. CONCLUSION: In this large cross-sectional study, our result suggests that population with higher TyG index are significantly more likely to have depressive symptoms in U.S. adults. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12888-021-03275-2.