Growth differentiation factor-15 as a biomarker of strength and recovery in survivors of acute respiratory failure

What is it about?

In a prospective cohort study of nearly 150 older survivors of acute respiratory failure, we show that higher serum GDF-15 is independently associated with weaker diaphragm, limb, and hand grip strength during the week prior to hospital discharge, and lower rates of ADL recovery over 6-month follow-up. Our findings support further study of GDF-15 as a potential serum biomarker of skeletal muscle mitochondrial function in ICU survivors that may be valuable as a predictive or prognostic enrichment tool in early phase trials of post-ICU rehabilitation or novel therapies aimed at improving post-ICU disability.

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