Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) refers to the concurrence of several cardiovascular risk factors including insulin resistance, obesity, atherogenic dyslipidemia, and hypertension. Fibroblast Growth Factor 19 (FGF-19) was introduced as a novel metabolic regulator reversing diabetes mellitus, hepatic steatosis, hyperlipidemia, and adiposity. In view of these data, we assume that serum FGF-19 levels could be associated with all parameters of MetS.
Aim: The main objective of this case-control study was to evaluate the level of FGF-19 in subjects with MetS, diagnosed according to the 2005 International Diabetes Federation (IDF) criteria, and to clarify the correlation, if any, with all its parameters.
Patients and methods: Hundred and sixty subjects aged from 25 to 50 years were subdivided into 2 groups. Group A includes 80 subjects with MetS. Group B includes 80 normal subjects. Detailed clinical history was taken. Also, FGF-19 was measured.
Results: FGF-19 level was statistically significantly lower among the MetS group than in the control group (p < 0.001). A cutoff value of ≤ 137 pg/ml can discriminate between those with MetS vs. control group with a sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV of 75%, 93.7%, 92.3%, and 78.9%, respectively, and the AUC for FGF-19 was 0.907 (excellent performance).
Conclusion: FGF-19 may be considered as a reliable biomarker for the early detection of risky subjects with MetS.