Publication Details
Abstract
Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus involves insulin resistance and oxidative stress, while the triglyceride–glucose index may reflect associated metabolic disturbances. Aims of the study: To evaluate associations between the triglyceride–glucose index, oxidative stress biomarkers, and glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Methodology: A hospital-based analytical case–control study was designed at Al-Habbobi Teaching Hospital, Thi-Qar, Iraq, from February to September 2026, involving 120 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and 60 healthy controls. Fasting blood samples were used to assess glucose, HbA1c, lipid profiles, malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and total antioxidant capacity. Fasting glucose and triglyceride levels were used to calculate the triglyceride–glucose index. Data was analyzed statistically by group comparison and correlation tests, using SPSS version 26 and P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Result: The result showed higher TyG index (9.58 ± 0.46 versus 8.58 ± 0.31), HbA1c (8.2 ± 1.5% versus 5.3 ± 0.4%), and MDA (4.62 ± 1.21 versus 2.74 ± 0.83 nmol/mL) in diabetic patients than controls (all P<0.001). SOD, GPx and TAC were decreased. There were more metabolic and oxidative abnormalities in the patients with HbA1C ≥7%. TyG was positively correlated with HbA1c (r=0.54) and MDA (r=0.39), and negatively correlated with SOD (r=−0.31), GPx (r=−0.27) and TAC (r=−0.35), indicating a complex metabolic and oxidative imbalance. Conclusions: The findings suggest that elevated TyG index values are associated with poorer glycemic control, increased lipid peroxidation, and reduced antioxidant activity in T2DM. These associations require confirmation using actual patient-level data before establishing the index’s clinical utility.