Work

C reactive protein triglyceride glucose index is associated with incident cardiovascular disease in middle aged and older adults with arthritis

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Objectives To examine the longitudinal association between the C-reactive protein-triglyceride-glucose index (CTI) and incident cardiovascular disease (CVD) in middle-aged and older Chinese adults with arthritis, to assess the dose-response pattern of this association, and to explore the mediating role of body mass index (BMI). Methods This prospective cohort study was based on the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study, CHARLS. Baseline data were collected in 2011, and incident CVD was ascertained through the 2018 wave. Participants aged 45 years or older with physician-diagnosed arthritis, no history of CVD at baseline, and complete blood biomarker data were included. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to evaluate the association between CTI and incident CVD. Restricted cubic spline analysis was applied to assess the dose-response relationship, and causal mediation analysis was performed to evaluate the mediating role of BMI. Results During the 7-year follow-up, 266 participants developed incident CVD. In the fully adjusted model, each 1-unit increase in CTI was associated with a 22% higher risk of incident CVD (OR = 1.22, 95% CI: 1.01–1.48). Compared with the lowest quartile, participants in the highest quartile had a 54% higher risk (OR = 1.54, 95% CI: 1.12–2.11), with a significant trend across quartiles. Restricted cubic spline analysis revealed a significant positive dose-response association without nonlinearity. BMI partially mediated this association, with a mediation proportion of 36.5%. Conclusion CTI was independently associated with incident CVD in middle-aged and older Chinese adults with arthritis, showing a positive dose-response relationship. BMI appeared to be an important mediating pathway. Combined assessment of inflammation and metabolic dysfunction may be clinically useful for cardiovascular risk management in patients with arthritis.

Source: Scientific Reports

DOI: 10.1038/s41598-026-71112-1