From the Research
Utility of IGF1 in Diagnosing Malnutrition
- IGF1 is a peptide hormone that promotes growth and is involved in various physiological processes 1
- Its production is regulated by nutrition, and serum concentrations fall in malnutrition, making it a potential nutritional biomarker 1, 2
- Studies have shown that IGF1 concentrations increase with nutritional support and decrease with reduction or termination of support 2, 3
Correlation with Nutritional Status
- IGF1 has been found to correlate with markers of nutritional status, such as body mass index, body fat, and muscle mass 4, 3
- It has also been correlated with nitrogen balance, suggesting its potential use in guiding nutritional therapy 2
- However, IGF1 is influenced by factors other than nutritional status, such as age, inflammation, and endocrine conditions 1, 4, 5
Clinical Usefulness
- IGF1 may be useful in diagnosing malnutrition, particularly in patients with eating disorders or end-stage renal disease 4, 3, 5
- Its measurement may provide information on nutritional status, prognosis, and monitoring of nutritional support 1
- However, it is not recommended as a screening test for undernutrition due to its lack of specificity 1