Growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) levels are associated with malnutrition in acutely admitted older adults

The aging process is often accompanied by high risk of malnutrition and elevated levels of growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15). GDF15 is an increasingly recognized biomarker for regulation of metabolism, but few studies have investigated the connection between GDF15 and malnutrition in older age and how it relates to other features of aging such as decreased appetite and physical function. Therefore, we investigated the associations between GDF15 levels and nutritional status, appetite, and physical function in acutely admitted older adults.

Plasma GDF15 levels were measured using immunoassays in 302 older adults (≥65 years) admitted to the emergency department (ED). Nutritional status was evaluated with the Mini Nutritional Assessment Short-Form (MNA®-SF), appetite was evaluated with the Simplified Nutritional Appetite Questionnaire (SNAQ), and physical function was evaluated with handgrip strength (HGS), 30-s chair stand test (30s-RSS), and gait speed (GS). Associations between GDF15 and each outcome was determined by logistic regression adjusted for age, sex, and C-reactive protein (CRP).

Each doubling in plasma GDF15 level was associated with an adjusted odds ratio (OR) (95% confidence interval) of 1.59 (1.10-2.29, P = 0.01) for risk of malnutrition compared to normal nutrition and 1.19 (0.85-1.69, P = 0.3)) for malnutrition compared to risk of malnutrition. Each doubling in GDF15 was associated with an adjusted OR of 1.63 (1.21-2.23)) for having poor appetite, 1.46 (1.07-1.99) for having low HGS, 1.74 (1.23-2.51) for having low 30s-RSS, and 1.99 (1.39-2.94) for having low GS.

Among older adults admitted to the ED, higher GDF15 levels were significantly associated with malnutrition, poor appetite, and low physical function independent of age, sex, and CRP.