Objective  To analyze the association between the triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index and osteoarthritis (OA).

Methods  Using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey of the United States from 2009 to 2020, multivariable Logistic regression and restricted cubic spline (RCS) were used to evaluate the relationship between the TyG index and OA, with threshold-effect analyses performed.

Results  Among 10,986 participants (1,484 with OA), multivariable Logistic regression showed a significant positive association between the TyG index and OA. After adjustment for age, sex, race, body-mass index, C-reactive protein, and other relevant covariates, each one-unit increase in the TyG index was associated with a 53% higher odds of OA [OR=1.53, 95%CI (1.38, 1.69)]. RCS analysis revealed a non-linear relationship (P<0.001), when TyG index increased and approached 8.5, the risk intensity of OA increased significantly [OR=1.87, 95%CI (1.43, 2.44)]. However, when TyG index≥8.5, the impact of elevated TyG index on OA slowed down [OR=1.18, 95%CI (1.03, 1.35)].

Conclusion  The TyG index may serve as a potential biomarker for assessing OA risk. When the TyG index is<8.5, its increase is positively correlated with an elevated risk of OA. Future in-terventions targeting the TyG index could contribute to lowering OA prevalence.

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