The role of serum subfatin levels in the diagnosis of epileptic seizures: A case-control study


Özdal M. T., Işler Y., KAYA H., YÜKSEL M., Ay M. O.

American Journal of Emergency Medicine, cilt.105, ss.11-15, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 105
  • Basım Tarihi: 2026
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1016/j.ajem.2026.03.026
  • Dergi Adı: American Journal of Emergency Medicine
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, CINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Health Research Premium Collection (ProQuest)
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.11-15
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: Epilepsy, Epileptic seizure, Subfatin, Biomarker, Neuroinflammation
  • Sağlık Bilimleri Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Background: This study aims to investigate the potential role of serum subfatin levels as a biomarker in patients with epileptic seizures. Methods: This prospective, single-center, case-control study included 132 patients diagnosed with epilepsy and 131 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Serum subfatin levels were measured using an ELISA method. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 27.0, and intergroup differences were assessed with appropriate statistical tests. Results: Serum subfatin levels were significantly lower in the epilepsy group compared with the control group (0.42 ± 0.21 ng/mL vs. 0.68 ± 0.27 ng/mL; p < 0.001). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis demonstrated good discriminatory power, with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.84, 82% sensitivity, and 78% specificity at a cut-off value of 0.45 ng/mL. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified serum subfatin levels as an independent predictor of epileptic seizures (odds ratio [OR]: 4.85; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.10–11.21; p < 0.001). Conclusion: Serum subfatin levels appear to be a promising biomarker for epileptic seizures. Decreased subfatin concentrations may reflect underlying neuroinflammatory processes associated with epileptogenesis. Particularly, serum subfatin levels below 0.30 ng/mL were associated with an increased risk of epileptic seizures within 180 days, indicating its potential utility for diagnostic and prognostic purposes.