Objective: Previous population-based studies provided conflicting results regarding the association
of serum insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) or IGF-binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) levels
and mortality. The aim of the present study was to assess the relation between IGF-I
or IGFBP-3 levels and mortality due to cardiovascular disease (CVD), cancer or all
causes (excluding CVD and cancer) in a prospective population-based study. Methods: A total of 2,000 men and 2,080 women aged 20–79 years with available serum IGF-I
and IGFBP-3 values at baseline from the Study of Health in Pomerania (SHIP) were followed
on average for 7.2 years. Causes of deaths were coded according to the International
Classification of Diseases, 10th revision. Serum IGF-I and IGFBP-3 levels were determined by chemiluminescence immunoassays
and categorised into three groups according to the sex- and age-specific percentiles
(low: <10%, normal: 10–90% and high: >90%). Kaplan-Meier analyses and Cox proportional
hazards regression models were performed. Results: In men, low IGF-I or IGFBP-3 levels were related to a shorter survival time due to
all-cause and cancer mortality as well as mortality caused by other reasons. In women,
only low IGFPB-3 levels were associated with decreased all-cause and CVD survival
as well as decreased survival from other causes, implicating gender differences in
the association between IGF-I and IGFBP-3 and mortality. Adjusted Cox regression analyses
partially confirmed these results and showed that low IGF-I or low IGFBP-3 levels
were associated with higher all-cause mortality and a higher mortality caused by others
reasons in men. In women, low IGFBP-3 levels were also related to a higher all-cause
mortality and mortality caused by CVD or other reasons. Conclusions: The present study found inverse associations between IGF-I or IGFBP-3 levels and
all-cause or CVD mortality or mortality caused from other causes.