ICJEM
Intercontinental Journal of Emergency Medicine

The Intercontinental Journal of Emergency Medicine aims to publish issues related to all fields of emergency medicine and all specialties involved in the management of emergencies in the hospital and prehospital environment of the highest scientific and clinical value at an international level and accepts articles on these topics.

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Original Article
FGF-21 as a potential biomarker for coronary artery calcification: a non-invasive approach
Abstract
Aims: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF-21) levels and coronary artery calcium (CAC) scores calculated using the Agatston method, and to evaluate the potential of FGF-21 as a non-invasive biomarker for the assessment of coronary artery calcification.
Methods: A total of 54 adult individuals who had undergone coronary CT angiography within the past three months solely for cardiovascular risk assessment were prospectively included in the study. Serum FGF-21 levels were measured using the ELISA method, and CAC scores were determined via the Agatston scoring system. The relationship between FGF-21 levels and CAC scores was analyzed using Spearman’s correlation test.
Results: A significant and strong positive correlation was observed between FGF-21 levels and CAC scores (r = 0.725, p < 0.001). Diabetes mellitus and hyperlipidemia were significantly associated with higher CAC scores (p = 0.006 and p = 0.024, respectively), whereas their associations with FGF-21 levels were not statistically significant (p = 0.065 and p = 0.104). No significant correlations were found between FGF-21 levels and other variables such as age, gender, hypertension, or biochemical parameters.
Conclusion: The findings suggest that serum FGF-21 levels may be associated with coronary artery calcification and could serve as a non-invasive and easily applicable biomarker in individuals for coronary artery disease. FGF-21 may be particularly useful in clinical settings where access to advanced imaging modalities is limited.

Keywords : FGF-21, Coronary Calcium Score, atherosclerosis, biomarker, non-invasive evaluation

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Article available in :
Volume 3, Issue 3, 2025
Page : 52-57
https://doi.org/10.51271/ICJEM-0059
Article Information
Received : 31 Tem 2025
Accepted : 07 Eyl 2025
Published : 23 Eyl 2025
Corresponding Author :

Oğuzhan Zengin: Department of Internal Medicine, Ankara Bilkent City Hospital, Ankara, Turkiye

[email protected]
Citation : Zengin O, Öztürk O, Çamlı H, et al. FGF-21 as a potential biomarker for coronary artery calcification: a non-invasive approach. Intercont J Emerg Med. 2025;3(3):52-57.

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