Estimated glucose disposal rate and severe abdominal aortic calcification: evidence from a nationally representative study with external validation

Background Estimated glucose disposal rate (eGDR) is a validated surrogate marker of insulin resistance and has been associated with cardiometabolic risk. However, its relationship with abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) remains incompletely understood, and evidence from independent populations is limited. Methods We analyzed data from 2,994 adults aged ≥20 years in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2013–2014. An independent external validation cohort including 745