Growth Differentiation Factor-15 (GDF-15) a Precursory Biomarker for Diabetic Patients with Coronary Artery and Chronic Kidney Disease

Background: Growth-differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15) is emerging as an important biomarker, thus the current study aimed to determine the levels of GDF-15 among, T2DM subjects with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and coronary artery disease (CAD). Methodology: The present cross sectional study comprised of 80 T2DM subjects with mean age of 60.15 ± 1.8 years. The study subjects were divided into four groups Group-I: T2DM subjects (T2DM), Group-II: T2DM subjects with chronic kidney disease (CKD), Group-III: T2DM subjects with established coronary artery disease (CAD) and Group-IV: T2DM subjects with CKD and established CAD. Anthropometric, demographic and biochemical parameters were measured in all study subjects. The levels of GDF-15 were measured in plasma using ELISA. Results: The level of GDF-15 was significantly higher in diabetic subjects having both CAD and CKD when compared to other study groups and significant difference was observed between the study groups (p<0.0001). Comparisons of GDF-15 levels between group's shows statistical significance among the group I vs. other groups (p <0.0001), similar scenario were observed in group II vs. III (p< 0.05), IV (p <0.0001) and group III vs. IV (p< 0.05). There is a positive correlation with the level GDF-15 with duration of diabetes, systolic blood pressure, HbA1c, Urea, Creatinine and Triglyceride. Negative correlation were observed in eGFR (r = - 0.35, p < 0.001) and HDL (r = - 0.25 p = 0.03). Conclusion: The levels of GDF-15 are markedly increased in diabetic subjects having both CAD and CKD. The study finding highlights the major role of GDF-15 as a promising biomarker of CAD and CKD in T2DM subjects.