Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) is a sensitive marker of osteoporosis in haemodialysis patients: a cross-sectional observational study

BMC Nephrol. 2021 May 19;22(1):183. doi: 10.1186/s12882-021-02393-z.

Abstract

Introduction: Osteoporosis is one of the important bone abnormalities in chronic kidney disease-mineral and bone disorder (CKD-MBD) and still lacks a sensitive biomarker to diagnose. Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) can stimulate bone loss in patients with diabetes and increase in CKD patients. In this study, we investigated whether FGF21 could serve as a biomarker to predict osteoporosis in a haemodialysis cohort.

Methods: We recorded demographic information, biochemical data, and serum FGF21 and FGF23 levels and measured the CT attenuation values of 339 haemodialysis patients from two large medical centres. We assessed the correlation of CT attenuation values with serum FGF21 and FGF23 levels and tested whether they were independent factors for osteoporosis. ROC curves were constructed to compare the prognostic value of FGF21 and FGF23 for osteoporosis.

Results: Based on the CT attenuation value, serum FGF21 levels were higher in our osteoporosis group (median 640.86 pg/ml vs. 245.46 pg/ml, P ˂ 0.01). Meanwhile, FGF21 (r = -0.136, P < 0.05) and FGF23 (r = -0.151, P < 0.05) were both negatively associated with osteoporosis. Moreover, FGF21 (β = -0.067, P < 0.05) was an independent factor for osteoporosis. Furthermore, FGF21 combined with age yielded a marked specificity (90.5 %) and sensitivity (61.8 %) in predicting osteoporosis of haemodialysis patients with less residual renal function.

Conclusions: FGF21 has a positive relationship with the incidence of osteoporosis in patients on haemodialysis. FGF21 combined with age is a good predictive biomarker for osteoporosis in patients on haemodialysis, especially those with less residual renal function.

Keywords: CKD-MBD; CT attenuation values; Fibroblast growth factor 21; Haemodialysis; Osteoporosis.

Publication types

  • Observational Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Biomarkers / blood
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Fibroblast Growth Factor-23 / blood
  • Fibroblast Growth Factors / blood*
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Linear Models
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Osteoporosis / blood*
  • Osteoporosis / complications
  • Osteoporosis / diagnosis
  • Osteoporosis / epidemiology
  • ROC Curve
  • Renal Dialysis
  • Renal Insufficiency, Chronic / blood
  • Renal Insufficiency, Chronic / complications*
  • Renal Insufficiency, Chronic / therapy
  • Spine / diagnostic imaging
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • FGF21 protein, human
  • FGF23 protein, human
  • Fibroblast Growth Factors
  • Fibroblast Growth Factor-23