Objective: Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is a major cardiac sequel of hypertension and a powerful predictor of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Several nonpopulation-based studies explored the association between insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-I) and LVH with conflicting results. The aim of the present study was to investigate the association of serum IGF-I or IGF-binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) levels with LVH in a population-based study.
Methods: From the cross-sectional Study of Health in Pomerania, 1865 participants aged 45-79 years were included. Echocardiography was performed and left ventricular mass index calculated. LVH was defined as left ventricular mass index more than 48 g/m for men and more than 44 g/m for women. Serum IGF-I and IGFBP-3 levels were determined by chemiluminescence immunoassays. Analysis of variance and logistic regression were performed.
Results: LVH was present in 52.0% of the women and 50.8% of the men. Our data did not obtain any significant association between serum IGF-I levels and left ventricular mass index or LVH in both men and women. Regarding IGFBP-3, women with low IGFBP-3 levels had an almost two-fold higher odds of LVH [odds ratio 1.76 (95% confidence limit 1.04-2.95)] compared with women with moderate IGFBP-3 levels. No such relation became apparent in men.
Conclusion: No association between IGF-I levels and LVH was found. Potential hypertrophic effects of free serum IGF-I levels might be mediated by lower IGFBP-3 levels.