Fibroblast growth factor 21 association with subclinical atherosclerosis and arterial stiffness in type 2 diabetes

To evaluate the association of serum FGF21 with subclinical atherosclerosis and pulse wave velocity, a marker of arterial stiffness, in type 2 diabetes Egyptian patients.

Fasting serum FGF21 was measured in 120 type 2 diabetes patients without clinical atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (mean age 51.1 ± 7.7 years; 63.3 women). In addition to basic laboratory tests, serum adiponectin and ultrasonographic examination of CIMT, ankle brachial index (ABI) and carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) were performed.

Patients with subclinical atherosclerosis have higher serum FGF21 than those without (218 ± 66.8 pg/mL Vs 170 ± 43.1 pg/mL, P < 0.001). FGF21 correlated positively with CIMT and cfPWV (P < 0.001) regardless of patient gender. In logistic regression analysis, circulating FGF21 was found to be an independent predictor for subclinical atherosclerosis (P = 0.023) in addition to dyslipidemia, hypertension and adiponectin. FGF21 was also found to be an independent determinant of cfPWV in stepwise multiple regression analysis. ROC curve analysis was done and cutoff high risk FGF21 level of 184 pg/mL for the prediction of subclinical atherosclerosis with a sensitivity and specificity of 66.7%.

Serum FGF21 levels correlated with carotid intima media thickness and predict subclinical atherosclerosis. Serum FGF21 is also correlated positively with cfPWV and arterial stiffness in type 2 diabetes patients.