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A multicenter study on insulin-like growth factor-I serum levels in children with chronic inflammatory diseases
Insights
Children and adolescents with connective tissue diseases (CTDs) show lower insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) levels. Inflammation is a key factor, impacting IGF-I levels more than age or steroid treatment.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Rheumatology
- Endocrinology
- Growth Factors
Background:
- Connective tissue diseases (CTDs) can affect growth and development in pediatric populations.
- Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) plays a crucial role in childhood growth.
- Understanding IGF-I levels in pediatric CTDs is important for assessing disease impact.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) levels in children and adolescents diagnosed with connective tissue diseases (CTDs).
- To compare IGF-I levels between pediatric CTD patients and healthy controls.
- To explore correlations between IGF-I levels and factors such as age, sex, steroid use, and inflammation markers.
Main Methods:
- A multicenter, cross-sectional study involving 117 pediatric patients with juvenile arthritis and other CTDs, and 78 healthy children.
- IGF-I serum levels were quantified using radioimmunoassay following acid-ethanol extraction.
- Statistical analyses included covariance analysis and multiple regression to assess correlations.
Main Results:
- Mean IGF-I serum levels were significantly lower in patients with CTDs (167.6 ng/ml) compared to controls (214.4 ng/ml).
- IGF-I levels showed a significant inverse correlation with erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), indicating a link with inflammation.
- Age and sex were positively correlated with IGF-I levels in patients, while steroid treatment showed no significant correlation.
Conclusions:
- Pediatric patients with connective tissue diseases exhibit decreased serum IGF-I levels.
- Inflammatory processes appear to be a significant factor contributing to the reduction in IGF-I levels in this population.
- Further research may elucidate the precise mechanisms linking inflammation and IGF-I in pediatric CTDs.
Objective:
To study insulin-like factor-I (IGF-I) levels in children and adolescents with connective tissue diseases (CTDs), compare them with values obtained in normal controls, and correlate them with age, sex, steroid treatment, and inflammatory parameters.
Methods:
A multicenter, cross-sectional study was performed in 3 Italian pediatric rheumatology centers. The subjects studied comprised 117 patients with juvenile arthritis (53 systemic, 25 pauciarticular and 17 polyarticular) and other CTDs (22), and 78 children without inflammatory conditions. IGF-I levels were measured by radioimmunoassay after acid-ethanol extraction.
Results:
Mean IGF-I serum levels were 167.6 ng/ml (+/- 132.5) in patients and 214.4 (+/- 142.8) in controls. A significant correlation was found between IGF-I levels and age in the controls (P = 0.001), but not in the patients. Covariance analysis with age as the covariate showed significantly lower IGF-I levels in the patient group (P = 0.001). No significant correlation was found between IGF-I levels and the total quantity of steroid taken. Multiple regression analysis showed that IGF-I levels were inversely correlated with the ESR (P = 0.0001) and positively correlated with age (P = 0.0002) and sex (P = 0.021) in the patient group.
Conclusion:
IGF-I serum levels are decreased in patients with CTDs; inflammation could play a major role.