Role of Insulin-like Growth Factor Binding Protein 7 in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract

Background: Elevated levels of plasma Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 7 (IGFBP7), which is associated with the development and progression of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). It is increased in patients with T2DM and also increases during diabetes development. The objective of the current study is to find the relationship between IGFBP7 and the occurrence and development of T2DM.

Methods: The current study is a case-control study conducted on 90 Iraqi participants with an average age of 20-70 years during the period between November 2024 and March 2025. The participants were from Imam Hassan Center for Endocrinology and Diabetes in Holy Karbala Governorate, Iraq. The participants were divided into two groups: 60 patients with T2DM and 30 healthy controls. IGFBP7 levels were measured by using an ELISA kit.

Results: IGFBP7 levels were significantly elevated in the patient group with T2DM compared to healthy individuals. It demonstrated an AUC of 0.856 with a probability value of p < 0.001 and a sensitivity of 70% and specificity of 70% at a cut-off of 0.86 ng/ml in the current study.

Conclusions: IGFBP7 is a valuable biomarker in diagnosing and developing patients with T2DM, and it is also considered a risk factor for the development of this type of diabetes.