Endotrophin Levels Could Predict Kidney Disease Outcomes in Type 2 Diabetes

An analysis of data from the PROVALID study suggests endotrophin could serve as an early marker of negative kidney outcomes in people with type 2 diabetes.

Presented by Alexandra Louise Møller, MS, PhD, of Nordic Biosciences A/S, at the 61st European Renal Association Congress, results of the study suggest patients with type 2 diabetes and elevated endotrophin levels were at a nearly 70% greater risk of experiencing a negative kidney outcome compared to their counterparts without elevated endotrophin levels.¹

A prospective, multinational, non-interventional cohort study, PROVALID collected information related to medical history, physical status, laboratory measurements, and medication use among more than 4000 patients with type 2 diabetes from 5 European countries with the intent of providing clinicians with a database for validating biomarkers. Using data collected in the study, investigator designed the current analysis to assess the association between endotrophin levels and the primary outcome of interest, which was a composite kidney endpoint defined as a sustained 40% decline in eGFR, an eGFR of less than 60 ml/min/173 m2, sustained 30% increase in albuminuria including a transition in albuminuria stage, or kidney failure with replacement therapy or kidney death.^1,2

From the PROVALID study, investigators obtained information from a cohort of 3226 individuals with levels of endotrophin measured in plasma at baseline. This cohere had a median age of 64 (58 to 70) years, 57% were males, the mean eGFR was 79 (SD, 24) mL/Min/1.73m2, and the median follow-up time was 3.9 years.¹

Upon analysis, results indicated elevated levels of endotrophin were associated with an elevated risk of experiencing a primary outcome event (HR, 1.63; P = .0012). Upon adjustment for age, diabetes duration, HbA1c, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, blood pressure, BMI, lipid profile, and eGFR, this increased risk was still present (HR, 1.55; P = .012). In a subgroup analysis among patients with an eGFR greater than 90 mL/min/1.73m2, results suggested elevated endotrophin levels were associated with increased risk of experiencing a primary outcome event (P = .03).¹

To learn more about the study and its results, check out our interview with Møller from the floor at ERA 24.

Møller has no relevant disclosures of interest to share.

References:

1. ^{Møller AL, Thöni S, Keller F, et al. #755 Endotrophin as an early marker of kidney outcomes in persons with type 2 diabetes: findings from the PROVALID study. Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation. Volume 39, Issue Supplement_1. May 2024. https://doi.org/10.1093/ndt/gfae069.528}
2. ^{Eder S, Leierer J, Kerschbaum J, et al. A Prospective Cohort Study in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus for Validation of Biomarkers (PROVALID) - Study Design and Baseline Characteristics. Kidney Blood Press Res. 2018;43(1):181-190. doi:10.1159/000487500}