High Follistatin Predicts Poor Cardiometabolic Outcomes: Study Findings

Core Concepts

Elevated follistatin levels predict poor cardiometabolic outcomes.

Abstract

The study focused on the association between plasma follistatin levels and cardiometabolic outcomes in middle-aged Swedish adults. Key takeaways include:

• Higher follistatin levels linked to increased risk of all-cause mortality, heart failure, CKD, stroke, and ischemic stroke.
• Follistatin may serve as a potential biomarker for early detection of CKD risk.
• Study design involved analyzing data from the Malmö Diet Cancer Study with 4733 participants.
• Higher follistatin levels associated with older age, diabetes, and other risk factors.
• Increased follistatin levels correlated with higher risks of all-cause death, stroke, heart failure, and CKD.
• Diabetes may mediate the association between follistatin levels and certain outcomes.
• Study limitations include potential changes in cardiovascular risk factors during follow-up.

Stats

Higher follistatin levels significantly associated with older age, diabetes, and higher BMI, blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose, and triglycerides.
Hazard ratios for various incident events: All-cause death: 1.05, All-cause stroke: 1.10, Ischemic stroke: 1.13, Heart failure: 1.16, CKD: 1.38

Quotes

"Follistatin may be a potential biomarker for detecting CKD risk years before disease onset."
"Plasma follistatin was elevated up to 19 years prior to the onset of type 2 diabetes."

Key Insights Distilled From

High Follistatin Predicts Poor Cardiometabolic Outcomes

by Marlene Busk... at www.medscape.com 05-08-2023

https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/991683

Deeper Inquiries

How can the findings of this study impact the early detection and prevention of cardiometabolic diseases?

The findings of this study suggest that higher plasma levels of follistatin are significantly associated with an increased risk of various cardiometabolic outcomes, including all-cause mortality, heart failure, chronic kidney disease (CKD), stroke, and ischemic stroke. Given that follistatin levels were elevated up to 19 years prior to the onset of type 2 diabetes and independently of established risk markers for diabetes, follistatin may serve as a potential biomarker for early detection of CKD risk and other adverse cardiometabolic events. Early detection of CKD risk is crucial as the condition is often clinically silent for many years before diagnosis. Identifying individuals at risk early on can enable them to take preventive measures, potentially reducing the burden of cardiometabolic diseases in the population.

What are the potential implications of follistatin as a biomarker for other chronic conditions beyond CKD?

While the study primarily focused on the association between follistatin levels and cardiometabolic outcomes, the potential implications of follistatin as a biomarker extend beyond CKD. The research findings suggest that higher follistatin levels are linked to an increased risk of various chronic conditions, including stroke, ischemic stroke, heart failure, and all-cause mortality. These results indicate that follistatin may serve as an independent biomarker for the early detection of risk for a range of chronic conditions, not limited to CKD. By monitoring follistatin levels, healthcare providers may be able to identify individuals at risk for these conditions earlier, allowing for timely interventions and potentially improving health outcomes.

How might the involvement of authors with Lundoch Diagnostics influence the interpretation of the study results?

The involvement of authors with Lundoch Diagnostics, particularly Yang De Marinis, the founder of the company, and Gunnar Engström, a member of the scientific advisory board, could potentially influence the interpretation of the study results. Lundoch Diagnostics has developed and markets a blood test for early detection of risk for type 2 diabetes based on levels of plasma follistatin and other measurements. This connection raises questions about potential conflicts of interest and the objectivity of the study findings. Authors associated with a company that stands to benefit from the use of follistatin as a biomarker may have a vested interest in promoting the significance of follistatin in predicting cardiometabolic outcomes. It is essential for transparency and scientific integrity that any potential conflicts of interest are disclosed and that the study results are interpreted objectively, considering the implications of the authors' affiliations.