Korean J Intern Med.  2025 Mar;40(2):299-309. 10.3904/kjim.2024.221.

Persistent influence of past obesity on current adiponectin levels and mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes

• Kim MJ
• Kim SW
• Ha B
• Kim HS
• Kwon SH
• Jin J
• Choi YK
• Park KG
• Kim JG
• Lee IK
• Jeon JH

• KMID: 2567106
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3904/kjim.2024.221

Abstract

Background/Aims
Adiponectin, a hormone primarily produced by adipocytes, typically shows an inverse relationship with body mass index (BMI). However, some studies have reported a positive correlation between the two. Thus, this study aimed to examine the relationship between adiponectin level and BMI in diabetic patients, focusing on the impact of past obesity on current adiponectin levels.
Methods
We conducted an observational study analyzing data from 323 diabetic patients at Kyungpook National University Hospital. Based on past and current BMIs, participants were categorized into never-obese (nn, n = 106), previously obese (on, n = 43), and persistently obese (oo, n = 73) groups based on a BMI threshold of 25 kg/m². Adiponectin level and BMI were key variables. Kaplan–Meier analysis assessed their impact on all-cause mortality up to August 2023, with survival differences based on adiponectin quartiles and follow-up starting from patient enrollment (2010–2015).
Results
The analysis revealed a significant inverse correlation between adiponectin level and past maximum BMI. The on group exhibited approximately 10% lower adiponectin levels compared to the nn group. This association remained significant after adjusting for current BMI, age, and sex, highlighting the lasting influence of previous obesity on adiponectin levels. Furthermore, survival analysis indicated that patients in the lowest adiponectin quartile had reduced survival, with a statistically significant trend (p = 0.062).
Conclusions
Findings of this study suggest that lower adiponectin levels, potentially reflecting past obesity, are associated with decreased survival in diabetic patients, underscoring a critical role of adiponectin in long-term health outcomes.

Keyword

Adiponectin; Body mass index; Obesity; Type 2 diabetes; Survival analysis