The association between triglyceride-glucose index with gestational diabetes mellitus in pregnant women: a cohort study among Chinese women

Background This study aimed to investigate the association between the triglyceride and glucose (TyG) index and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in pregnant women to prevent GDM. Methods A total of 1,222 first-trimester pregnant women from the Obstetrics Department of Peking University International Hospital were enrolled in this prospective study between December 2017 and March 2019. The patients underwent an oral glucose tolerance test at 24–28 weeks of gestation and were regularly followed up until birth. Results The TyG index was significantly higher in the GDM group than in the non-GDM group ( t = −5.69, P < 0.05). In early pregnancy, the TyG index was positively associated with blood glucose levels at 0, 60, and 120 min before and after glucose loading (all p < 0.05). After adjusting for age, body mass index, parity, blood pressure, uric acid, and serum creatinine levels, the TyG index was found to be an independent risk factor for GDM. The model for predicting the risk of GDM using the TyG index showed an optimal cut-off point of 8.20. Conclusion The TyG index serves as an independent risk factor for GDM and may predict the disease in pregnant women. Although the TyG index can be used as a marker of gestational diabetes, we should also pay more attention to fasting blood glucose and HbA1c levels. The TyG index may be integrated into early screening programs for GDM.