Estimation of Insulin Resistance in Non-Diabetic Female Patients by the TyG Index

Abstract

Background: The development of metabolic and cardiovascular conditions is fundamentally driven by "insulin resistance" (IR). For effective preventive healthcare, it is essential to detect asymptomatic IR early in people without diabetes. Therefore, the primary objective of this investigation was to assess how reliably the triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index functions as an alternative, non-invasive indicator for identifying preliminary insulin resistance specifically among non-diabetic women. This approach bridges a vital gap in early metabolic screening. Methods: We executed an observational cross-sectional analysis comprising 75 women without diabetes at the Al-Diwaniyah Health Directorate in Iraq. Based on specific metabolic and clinical assessments, the subjects were divided into two distinct cohorts: an at-risk group for IR (n=50) and a normometabolic control set (n=25). Key physical metrics, such as waist circumference and body mass index (BMI), were documented by the research team. Furthermore, fasting blood samples were evaluated to measure insulin, triglycerides, and plasma glucose concentrations. To compute the TyG index, the standard "natural logarithm equation" was applied. The diagnostic efficacy was subsequently analyzed through Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves and Pearson correlation techniques, providing a robust statistical framework for our findings. Results: Compared to the healthy volunteers, women in the clinical risk category demonstrated a significantly higher TyG index (p < 0.05). Additionally, this index showed a profound positive relationship with metrics of central obesity (waist circumference and BMI) and fasting insulin levels. This clearly illustrates the strong connection between central adiposity and early metabolic disruptions. Through ROC evaluation, the index displayed remarkable diagnostic precision; an optimal threshold of 8.65 was established. This specific cut-off point successfully maximized specificity and sensitivity for recognizing preliminary IR within this female demographic. Conclusion: Ultimately, the TyG index serves as an economical, easily accessible, and highly dependable alternative marker for uncovering hidden insulin resistance in women who do not have diabetes. By incorporating this straightforward measurement into everyday clinical assessments, medical practitioners can fundamentally alter current diagnostic protocols. This proactive identification allows for the timely application of lifestyle and dietary therapies, which is crucial for substantially decreasing the long-term risk of severe cardiometabolic diseases.