Association of serum growth differentiation factor 15 level with acute ischemic stroke in a Chinese population

Background: Growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15) is a member of the transforming growth factor-ss family. Elevated GDF-15 concentrations are associated with increased risks of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus and cerebrovascular disease. Objective: This study aimed to determine the clinical significance of serum GDF-15 level after acute ischemic stroke (AIS) in a Chinese population. Methods: We compared serum GDF-15 levels between 83 AIS patients and 124 controls. At admission and on day 7, we recorded the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score and measured serum GDF-15 levels for AIS patients and for control patients at admission. Stroke volumes were calculated using diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging performed at admission. Clinical outcomes were evaluated 90 days later using the modified Rankin Scale. Results: Serum GDF-15 level at admission was significantly higher in AIS patients than in controls (p < .01). GDF-15 level on day 7 was significantly higher in the poor outcomes group than in the good outcomes group (p < .05). Higher GDF-15 levels at admission and on day 7 were related to larger stroke volumes (p < .01). Binary logistic regression indicated that serum GDF-15 level at admission may be independently related with AIS (p < .01). Serum GDF-15 level on day 7 may independently associated with poor outcomes after AIS (p < .05). Conclusions: GDF-15 level at admission may independently related to AIS, and GDF-15 level on day 7 could independently predict outcomes at 90 days after AIS. GDF-15 may provide prognostic information after AIS in a Chinese population.