Serum level of the phosphaturic factor FGF23 is associated with abdominal aortic calcification in men: the STRAMBO study.

Context: Calcification inhibitor deficiencies, mineral imbalance, and phenotypic transformation of vascular cells to osteogenic cells initiate and sustain vascular calcification. Fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF23) is a key molecule regulating mineral homeostasis. Objective: Our objective was to assess the association of serum FGF23 levels with mineral metabolism parameters and abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) in men. Design: This was a cross-sectional analysis in the STRAMBO cohort. Setting: Men holding a private health insurance cover with Mutuelle de Travailleurs de la Region Lyonnaise were included in the study. Participants: Participants included male volunteers aged 20–87 (n = 1130). Interventions: Nonfasting blood collection was done. AAC was semiquantitatively assessed from vertebral fracture assessment scans obtained using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. Main Outcome Measures: We evaluated the association between FGF23 concentration and AAC severity in men. Results: In 350 men aged 60 yr or...