GDF-15 and Hepciden as a therapeutic target for anemia in chronic kidney disease

Abstract

Background Anaemia is a common presenting feature among patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and associated with poor clinical outcomes. We evaluated the diagnostic validity of growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15) and hepcidin as it is not clear if they are useful as a biomarkers of anaemia among non-dialysis CKD egyptian patients. Method An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among non-dialysis CKD patients (n = 60) and apparently healthy controls (n = 28) at Minia University maternity & children Hospital. Serum levels of GDF-15 and hepcidin were determined. Predictive logistic regression models were built and post estimation receiver operator characteristics were determined to evaluate diagnostic validity of hepcidin and GDF-15 for iron deficiency anaemia. Results Hepcidin and GDF-15 are significantly higher in cases than control p value (0.047,<0.0001) respectively. The predictive value of diagnosing anaemia among CKD patients using hepcidin and GDF-15 was 72.0%, 70.0%.There was a weak negative correlation between hepcidin levels and glomerular filtration rate GFR (r-175 =, p = 0.105) in CKD patients, and significant correlation between serum GDF-15 and haemoglobin (r = -0.897, p < 0.0001), ferritin (r = 0.489, P < 0.000), Iron (r=-0.314, P = 0.002), CRP (r = 0.409, P < 0.0001). Conclusion Hepcidin and GDF-15 is a potential biomarker for predicting anaemia connected with inflammation among CKD Egyptian patients.

Physiological Role of Serum Growth Differentiation Factor-15 (GDF-15) Level and Iron Metabolism in Community-Dwelling Older Adults

“…A recent study of patients with CKD that examined the association between anemia, GDF-15, and hepcidin found significant correlations between hepcidin levels and iron and CRP and significant correlations between serum GDF-15 and Hb levels, ferritin, iron, and CRP. In that study, multivariate logistic regression analysis found that Hb (β=-0.34), GDF-15 (β=-0.3), and hepcidin (β=-0.26) were predictors of anemia in patients with CKD [26]. Therefore, an increased GDF-15 level as well as iron deficiency might be useful markers for the screening of anemia, which is common in older adults.…”

“…The association between GDF-15 and hepcidin remains unclear. A significant association between GDF-15 and hepcidin has not been reported for patients with inflammatory and iron-deficiency anemia [11] or with CKD [26]. GDF-15 was reported to be positively correlated with hepcidin in non-anemic patients [29].…”