Blood ratio of IGF-1 to albumin may track muscle loss in dialysis patients

Sarcopenia is a prevalent and serious complication among patients with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) receiving maintenance dialysis, characterized by progressive loss of skeletal muscle mass, strength, and physical function. It is strongly associated with adverse clinical outcomes, including increased mortality, hospitalization, frailty, and reduced quality of life. The development of sarcopenia in ESRD is multifactorial, involving chronic inflammation, metabolic disturbances, hormonal dysfunction, anorexia, and the catabolic effects of dialysis. Although the 2019 EWGSOP2 guidelines recommend assessment of muscle strength, quantity, and physical performance for diagnosis, routine clinical implementation remains limited due to the need for specialized equipment, time constraints, and variability related to fluid status in dialysis patients. Consequently, there is a growing need for accessible and reliable biochemical markers for early identification of patients at risk.

Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 (IGF-1), an essential anabolic mediator of muscle protein synthesis, is often reduced and functionally impaired in ESRD, contributing to anabolic resistance and muscle wasting. Serum albumin, a conventional indicator of nutritional and inflammatory status, reflects the catabolic and inflammatory processes associated with sarcopenia but lacks specificity when used independently. The IGF-1/Albumin ratio may provide a more integrated representation of the balance between anabolic and catabolic pathways underlying uremic sarcopenia. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the association between the serum IGF-1/Albumin ratio and the presence and severity of sarcopenia, as defined by EWGSOP2 criteria, in stable outpatient dialysis patients.