High Growth Differentiation Factor-15 (GDF-15) in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients Potential Risk for Cardiovascular Disease

Ghufran Abd Omran Abdulridha ^1,2*, Mustafa Abdulkadhim Hussein ³, Suhad Rasheed Majeed ³

This study showed the high levels GDF-15, a clinical marker in rheumatoid arthritis, signified disease progression and heightened cardiovascular risk, implicating inflammation and tissue damage.

Abstract

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disorder primarily affecting joints, leading to pain, stiffness, and functional disability. The inflammatory mechanisms underlying RA also impact various organ systems, with significant implications for morbidity and mortality. In this study, we analyzed the growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15), a cytokine implicated in inflammation and associated with RA and cardiovascular diseases. We conducted a case-control study involving 150 RA patients and 150 healthy individuals, assessing various biomarkers (ACPA, CRP, ESR, and RF) including GDF-15, lipid profile, and inflammatory markers. Our results demonstrated significantly elevated levels of GDF-15 in RA patients (309.44 pg/ml) compared to controls (64.40 pg/ml), indicating its potential role as a biomarker for RA and cardiovascular risk (p<0.001). Furthermore, RA patients exhibited dyslipidemia characterized by elevated total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL cholesterol, and atherogenic indices, along with decreased HDL cholesterol levels, predisposing them to a higher risk of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular complications (p<0.001). Correlation analyses revealed associations between GDF-15 levels, lipid profile parameters, and disease severity markers, highlighting the intricate interplay between inflammation, lipid metabolism, and RA progression. These findings demonstrated the importance of early detection and management of dyslipidemia in RA patients to mitigate cardiovascular risk. Overall, our study contributes to understanding the pathophysiology of RA and identifies potential biomarkers for disease monitoring and risk stratification.

Keywords: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), Growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15), C-Reactive Protein (CRP), Anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (ACPA), Biomarkers, Cardiovascular risk

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