Decreased insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) concentration correlates with reduced left-ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF) in hemodialysis patients.

The main purpose of this study is to determine the correlation between the serum IGF-1 concentration and certain cardiac indexes in hemodialysis patients. The study was conducted at the Clinical Center of Montenegro and three regional hemodialysis centers. The echocardiographic studies were performed the day after the hemodialysis sessions. Blood samples were taken before dialysis for the measurement of IGF1 and PTH. A total of 102 patients were divided into two groups according to their left-ventricular ejection fraction (EF). Patients in the group with the higher EF had higher IGF-1 concentration (p = 0.024). IGF-1 was positively correlated with EF (ρ = 0.251, p = 0.012), and negatively correlated with LVMI (ρ = - 0.621, p < 0.001), SW (ρ = - 0.632, p < 0.001), and LW (ρ = - 0.632, p < 0.001). Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to determine the possible independent association between the EF and IGF-1 and the clinical data. The age of patients, their gender, and smoking habits did not have any combined influence on EF, but IGF-1 had a strong influence and was independently associated with the ejection fraction. Our results may indicate the possible protective role of IGF-1 in the maintenance of heart structure and function in hemodialysis patients.