Sex-specific characteristics associated with the elevated triglyceride to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio in a population-based study

Abstract Aims Evidence suggests that changes in the ratio of triglycerides to HDL-c (TG/HDL-c) predict metabolic and cardiovascular diseases, but the factors that might be associated with TG/HDL-c and whether they would be different between men and women are still unknown. We aimed to identify the sex-specific variables associated with TG/HDL-c in adults. Methods This cross-sectional population-based study investigated 1603 adults not taking lipid-lowering medication. Sociodemographic characteristics were obtained in a home interview. Blood lipids were measured in participants instructed to fast for at least 10 hours. Anthropometric parameters were obtained using standard methods. Results TG/HDL-c increases in men towards the higher educational categories, while in women, it decreases in those with a higher educational level. Additionally, TG/HDL-c was higher in the highest socioeconomic class in men but lower in women. In men, age, overweight/obesity, sedentary behavior, and those with higher educational levels were independently associated with high TG/HDL-c (4th quartile). In women, however, overweight/obesity, hypertension, diabetes and tobacco smoking were associated with higher TG/HDL-c, while brown and black women presented lower chances of having a high TG/HDL-c than that of white women. Conclusions Men and women have different characteristics that are associated with a higher TG/HDL-c, highlighting the need for individualized approaches for preventing cardiometabolic diseases based on sex-specific differences in the TG/HDL-c.