The association between the triglyceride to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio with insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) in the general Korean population: Based on the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey in 2007-2009

AimsThis study explores the association between the ratio of triglyceride (TG) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and insulin resistance according to waist circumference in the general Korean population.Methods7623 participants were selected from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) conducted during 2007-2009 and included in this cross-sectional study. Insulin resistance was defined as the values equal to or greater than the 75th percentile of the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR).ResultsPositive correlation was found between the ratio of TG and HDL-C and other variables such as waist circumference, total cholesterol, and HOMA-IR for both men and women. The odds ratios (ORs) (95% confidence interval) for insulin resistance for the highest quartile of TG/HDL-C were 2.48 in men and 3.05 in women. The significant relationship between the TG/HDL-C ratio and insulin resistance was not only maintained across all quartiles of waist circumference but also seemed to be enhanced in the higher quartiles of waist circumference.ConclusionIn the general Korean population, there seems to be a linear association between TG/HDL-C ratio and insulin resistance, regardless of degrees of waist circumference.