Association between triglyceride glucose–relative fat mass index and obstructive sleep apnea risk

The triglyceride glucose (TyG) index is correlated with insulin resistance and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), whereas the relative fat mass (RFM) index is linked to obesity and OSA. However, the relationship between the triglyceride glucose–relative fat mass (TyG–RFM) index and OSA has been less studied in the US population. This research was designed to investigate the association between the TyG–RFM index and OSA prevalence. Data for this cross-sectional analysis were drawn from the 2005 to 2008 and 2015 to 2018 cycles of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, including participants aged ≥20 years. Weighted multivariate logistic regression and restricted cubic splines were employed to examine the relationship between the TyG–RFM index and OSA. Stratified and sensitivity analyses were undertaken to test the consistency of the association. Of the 7283 participants, the mean age was 46.9 (standard deviation = 16.7) years, and 48.7% were male. Among them, 3616 individuals exhibited symptoms of OSA. The fitted curve demonstrated a linear positive relationship between the TyG–RFM index and OSA ( P for nonlinearity = 0.292). In the fully adjusted model, each 10-unit increase in the TyG–RFM index was associated with a 4% higher OSA risk (odds ratio, 1.04; 95% confidence interval, 1.02–1.06). When analyzed by quintiles, participants in the highest quintile had 95% greater odds of OSA compared with those in the lowest quintile (odds ratio, 1.95; 95% confidence interval, 1.29–2.95). Stratified and sensitivity analyses confirmed the stability of the primary results. This cross-sectional research showed that the TyG–RFM index was associated with OSA risk among US adults. These results may aid in OSA risk stratification and early screening.