BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Studies on the association between growth-differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15) level and adverse outcomes have yielded conflicting results in patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD). This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the association of baseline GDF-15 level with adverse outcomes in stable CAD patients.

METHODS

Two authors independently searched PubMed and Embase databases from inception to May 31, 2021 for available studies that investigated the association of baseline GDF-15 level with all-cause mortality, cardiovascular mortality, or major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) in stable CAD patients. Pooled multivariable adjusted hazard ratio (HR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated for the highest vs. the lowest GDF-15 level.

RESULTS

Seven studies that involved 28,765 stable CAD patients were identified and analyzed. The meta-analysis showed that the highest GDF-15 level was associated with higher risk of MACEs (HR 1.42; 95% CI 1.29-1.57;  < 0.001), cardiovascular mortality (HR 1.64: 95% CI 1.25-2.14;  < 0.001), and all-cause mortality (HR 2.01; 95% CI 1.67-2.42;  < 0.001) when compared the lowest GDF-15 level. Moreover, the values of GDF-15 level in predicting MACEs were consistently observed in each named subgroup.

CONCLUSIONS

Elevated blood GDF-15 level is an independent predictor of MACEs, cardiovascular mortality, and all-cause mortality in stable CAD patients. The baseline GDF-15 level may play an important role in the risk stratification of stable CAD patients.