Association of GDF15 levels with body mass index and endocrine status in β‐thalassaemia
Authors' conclusion
GDF15 levels were markedly elevated in patients with β-thalassaemia and its association with BMI is consistent with the known effect of GDF15 to reduce body weight. The inverse association between GDF15 with IGF1 levels may reflect a neuroendocrine impact of GDF15 or an indirect effect via impaired nutritional state. The positive association with testosterone in males and gonadotropins in both sexes, was surprising and should prompt further GDF15 studies on the hypothalamic pituitary gonadal axis.
Study context
- Population
- β-thalassaemia patients attending the thalassaemia unit of Colombo North Teaching Hospital for blood transfusions
- Participants
- 103 patients
- Outcome
- GDF15 and BMI, IGF1 and reproductive hormones
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
GDF15 markedly elevated in β-thalassaemia major vs healthy controls
24.2-fold
Serum IGF1 correlated negatively with GDF15 in all thalassaemia patients, adjusted for body mass index (BMI), age and Tanner stage
β = −.027
p = .02
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Original publication
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