The ratio of triglycerides to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol is associated with the risk of chronic kidney disease in Korean men

Dyslipidemia is nephrotoxic and can result in the development of chronic kidney disease (CKD). The ratio of triglycerides (TG) to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (TG/HDL-C ratio) is well-correlated with insulin resistance and cardiovascular events. The aim of this study is to examine the association between the TG/HDL-C ratio and CKD in Korean adults. This study was retrospectively designed based on the National Health Insurance Service-National Health Screening cohort. Seventy three thousand and fifty-two participants aged between 40 and 79 years old at baseline (2009–2010) were included in the final analyses. The study population was classified into three tertile groups (T₁, T₂, and T₃) according to the TG/HDL-C ratio by sex. Adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for CKD were calculated using Cox proportional hazard regression models. The median follow-up duration was 5.9 years. Higher tertile groups of the TG/HDL-C ratio had lower estimated glomerular filtration rates in both sexes. The cumulative incidence of CKD of T₁, T₂, and T₃ was 11.89%, 12.90%, and 12.91%, respectively, in men and 10.17%, 10.61%, and 14.87%, respectively, in women (all p values < 0.001). Compared with T₁ of the TG/HDL-C ratio, the HRs (95% CIs) of T₂ and T₃ for CKD were 1.212 (1.118–1.315) and 1.183 (1.087–1.287), respectively, in men and 0.895 (0.806–0.994) and 1.038 (0.937–1.150), respectively, in women after being fully adjusted. Higher TG/HDL-C ratios were positively associated with CKD development in men, while middle levels of TG/HDL ratios reduced the CKD incidence in women.