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Association between GDF-15 and sarcopenia progression in older adults: results from a population-based study
Yuh-Shiou Gu1, Alice Margherita Ornago2, Caterina Gregorio2
1Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, Tainan, Taiwan.
Ebiomedicine
|July 17, 2026
Summary
Higher levels of Growth Differentiation Factor-15 (GDF-15) are linked to faster sarcopenia progression in older adults. This finding suggests GDF-15 may help identify individuals at risk for age-related muscle loss.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology and Aging Research
- Biomarkers and Cytokines
- Muscle Physiology
Background:
- Growth Differentiation Factor-15 (GDF-15) is a stress-induced cytokine.
- Its role in muscle degeneration and sarcopenia is not fully understood.
- Previous findings on GDF-15 and sarcopenia are inconsistent.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between serum GDF-15 levels and sarcopenia progression.
- To examine GDF-15's role in different sarcopenia trajectories in older adults.
- To determine if GDF-15 can serve as a predictive marker for age-related muscle decline.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 2347 community-dwelling older adults from the Swedish National Study on Aging and Care in Kungsholmen.
- Sarcopenia status defined using modified European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People 2 criteria.
- Latent class analysis to identify 12-year sarcopenia trajectories.
- Serum GDF-15 levels measured at baseline; logistic regression used for association analysis.
Main Results:
- Two sarcopenia trajectories identified: early (around age 70) and late (around age 80) progression.
- Higher baseline GDF-15 levels were observed in the early progression trajectory (1.00 ng/mL vs. 0.86 ng/mL).
- Elevated GDF-15 associated with increased odds of probable (aOR=1.6) and confirmed sarcopenia (aOR=1.9).
- Higher GDF-15 levels were linked to a greater likelihood of belonging to the early progression trajectory (aOR=1.5).
Conclusions:
- GDF-15 reflects biological processes related to muscle degeneration.
- Serum GDF-15 levels may serve as a complementary biomarker for sarcopenia.
- GDF-15 could aid in identifying older adults at higher risk for accelerated muscle loss.
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