Insulin-like growth factor I - a novel biomarker of abdominal aortic aneurysms.

Objective: The study aimed to test the potential role of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) and IGF-II as biomarkers for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA).

Methods And Results: IGF-I and II levels were analysed in 115 patients with screening diagnosed AAA kept under annual surveillance for 10 years. Serum IGF-I correlated positively with AAA size and growth rate (r = 0.23, P = 0.016 and r = 0.27, P = 0.004), persisting after adjustment for potential confounders. Serum IGF-I level predicted cases needing later surgery (AOC: 0.63; 95% confidence interval: 0.52-0.73).

Conclusions: In this prospective, long-term study, baseline serum IGF-I correlated positively with AAA size and growth rate and predicted future need for preventive surgery.