Triglyceride glycemic index as a biomarker for gestational diabetes mellitus: a systemic review and meta-analysis

Background: Triglyceride glycemic (TyG) index is a novel tool for assessing insulin resistance (IR). Recently, TyG index as a potential biomarker f or gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) has been studied, but its performance is yet inc onclusive. Thus, we performed this systemic review and meta-analysis to evaluate th e performance of TyG index in predicting GDM. Methods: Studies published before March 1, 2021, with comparison of TyG index between GDM patients and healthy controls were retrieved from multiple databases (PubMed, Web of Science, The Cochrane Library, and Embase). The mean diff erence (MD) of TyG index in GDM patients and healthy controls was pooled using ran dom-effect models. Results: Differentiation of TyG index between patients with GDM and cont rols showed significant results. Overall, there is a four-fold increase in T yG index in GDM patients compared with controls (MD: 0.22, 95% CI: 0.07–0.36, P = 0.003; I2 = 71%, P = 0.009). In subgroup analyses according to gestational time, TyG index in t he second trimester predicted GDM with low heterogeneity (MD: 0.26, 95% CI: 0.15–0. 37, P < 0.001; I2 = 0%, P = 0.54), while no such correlation was found in the first trimest er. Conclusion: TyG index, especially in the second trimester, could be a prom ising biomarker for predicting GDM.