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Growth-differentiation factor-15 and functional outcome after acute ischemic stroke
Klaus Gröschel1, Sonja Schnaudigel, Frank Edelmann
1Department of Neurology, University of Mainz, Langenbeckstr.1, 55131 Mainz, Germany. klaus.groeschel@unimedizin-mainz.de
Journal of Neurology
|January 11, 2012
Summary
Growth-differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15) shows potential as a blood biomarker for predicting stroke outcomes. Elevated GDF-15 levels independently indicate a higher likelihood of unfavorable functional recovery 90 days post-stroke.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Biomarkers
- Clinical Medicine
Background:
- Clinical factors are established predictors of stroke outcomes.
- Blood biomarkers may offer improved early prediction of stroke prognosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the predictive value of Growth-Differentiation Factor-15 (GDF-15) for functional outcome 90 days after acute ischemic stroke.
- To assess GDF-15's independent association with stroke outcomes and its incremental value when combined with the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIH-SS).
Main Methods:
- Prospective cohort study of 281 patients with acute ischemic stroke symptoms.
- Serial blood samples collected for GDF-15 analysis at admission, 6, and 24 hours.
- Primary outcome measured by the modified Rankin Scale (MRS) at 90 days, analyzed using multiple regression and ROC curves.
Main Results:
- Initial GDF-15 levels and NIH-SS score were independently associated with unfavorable functional outcome (MRS ≥ 2) at 90 days.
- GDF-15 levels correlated positively with higher NIH-SS scores.
- The combination of GDF-15 and NIH-SS showed improved, though modestly distinct, discriminatory accuracy for predicting unfavorable stroke outcomes.
Conclusions:
- GDF-15 is an independent biomarker for predicting unfavorable functional outcomes 90 days after acute ischemic stroke.
- While GDF-15 adds modest discriminatory value to the NIH-SS, its role in enhancing predictive models requires further investigation.
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