Serum growth differentiation factor 15 level is associated with muscle strength and lower extremity function in older...

Sarcopenia is a serious problem because of its poor prognosis. Growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) is associated with mitochondrial dysfunction, inflammation, insulin resistance and oxidative stress, which may play crucial roles for the development of sarcopenia. We aimed to examine whether serum GDF15 level is associated with muscle mass, strength and lower extremity function in older patients with cardiometabolic disease.

Serum GDF15 levels were measured in 257 patients with cardiometabolic diseases (including 133 patients with diabetes) who had visited the frailty clinic, using a latex turbidimetric immunoassay. Appendicular skeletal muscle index, handgrip strength, timed-up-and-go test and gait speed were evaluated. Power, speed, balance and total scores based on the sit-to-stand test were calculated to assess lower extremity function.

The highest tertile of serum GDF15 was independently associated with low handgrip strength, low gait speed, long timed-up-and-go time and scores of lower extremity function but not an appendicular skeletal muscle index in multiple logistic regression analyses after adjustment for covariates. Patients in the highest tertile of GDF15 were at the risk of having three to nine times lower grip strength, three times lower gait speed, five to six times lower mobility and five to 11 times reduction in lower extremity function as compared with those in the lowest GDF15 tertile dependent on the models.

Elevated serum GDF15 level was independently associated with low muscle strength and lower extremity function in older patients with cardiometabolic disease. Serum GDF15 could be one of the biomarkers for muscle weakness and low physical performance. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2020; 20: 980-987.