Association of TNFSF14 with carotid intima-media thickness in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes: a comparison of older and younger adults

Q: What are the key findings of this study?

TNFSF14 levels and carotid intima-media thickness were significantly higher in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes patients compared to non-diabetic controls, with TNFSF14 demonstrating strong diagnostic accuracy for T2DM (AUC 0.90, sensitivity 91%, specificity 82%).

Q: What is the clinical evidence from this study?

Study design: Cross-Sectional. Population: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (n=169). Intervention: TNFSF14 vs. Non-diabetic controls. Primary outcome: CIMT and TNFSF14 level in relation to presence of T2DM (AUC 0.90, 95% CI 0.85-0.95, p=<0.001).

Q: What question did this study set out to answer?

To examine the relationship between TNFSF14 levels and carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) across younger adult and older patient cohorts.

Sibel Çavdar; İsmail Demir; Başak Ünverdi; Giray Bozkaya; Fatma Özge Kayhan Koçak

doi:10.22391/fppc.1802627

March 11, 2026Family practice and palliative careOpen Access

Association of TNFSF14 with carotid intima-media thickness in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes: a comparison of older and younger adults

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Key result

Elevated TNFSF14 links to increased CIMT and identifies newly diagnosed T2DM with a 0.90 AUC.

AUC 0.90
95% CI 0.85-0.95
P<0.001
n=169

Why the study?

Data on the relationship between TNFSF14 and carotid intima-media thickness, particularly in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus and across age groups, remain limited.

Is circulating TNFSF14 associated with CIMT in newly diagnosed patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, independent of age?

Key Points

To examine the relationship between TNFSF14 levels and carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) across younger adult and older patient cohorts.
Conducted a cross-sectional study among 169 outpatients at a tertiary hospital, comparing 79 patients with newly diagnosed T2DM to 90 non-diabetic controls.
Quantified serum TNFSF14 via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and measured right and left CIMT using B-mode ultrasonography.
Evaluated correlations and diagnostic efficacy using Spearman correlation and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves across the full cohort and age subgroups (aged ≥50 and <50 years).
Patients with T2DM demonstrated significantly higher median TNFSF14 levels (66 pg/mL vs. 51.50 pg/mL, p<0.001) and greater CIMT on both sides (median 0.70 mm vs. 0.60 mm, p<0.001) compared with non-diabetic controls.
TNFSF14 positively correlated with right CIMT (r=0.46, p<0.001) and left CIMT (r=0.44, p<0.001), as well as HbA1c (r=0.65, p<0.001), FBG (r=0.65, p<0.001), and PBG (r=0.68, p<0.001).

Study Design

Type

Cross-Sectional (n=169)

Multicenter

No

Structured PICO

Is circulating TNFSF14 associated with CIMT in newly diagnosed patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, independent of age?

P

Population

169 participants (79 newly diagnosed T2DM patients aged ≥30 years and 90 controls without DM), mean age 53, 65.7% female, based in Turkiye. Exclusions included type 1 or gestational diabetes, malignancy, acute infection, cardiovascular disease in the last 6 months, chronic inflammatory disease, and use of anti-inflammatory, corticosteroid, anti-lipemic, or antihypertensive medications.

C

Comparator

90 controls without DM

O

Outcome

Association between TNFSF14 and carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT), and diagnostic performance of TNFSF14 for the presence of T2DMsurrogate

Main Result

Effect estimate: AUC 0.90 (95% CI 0.85-0.95)

p-value: p=<0.001

Circulating TNFSF14 levels are significantly elevated in newly diagnosed T2DM and correlate positively with carotid intima-media thickness, suggesting its potential as a supportive biomarker for T2DM and vascular risk regardless of age.

Limitations

Cross-sectional design limits causal inference.
Short study duration.
Limited generalizability outside of study location.

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Implication

Supports TNFSF14 as age-independent biomarker for T2DM vascular risk; hypothesis-generating pending longitudinal validation.

Abstract

Introduction: Tumor necrosis factor superfamily member 14 (TNFSF14) is an immuno-inflammatory biomarker which might play a role in the pathogenesis of type-2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) and also vascular inflammation. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) is a marker of vascular risk and is a well-established marker of subclinical atherosclerosis; however, data on its relationship with TNFSF14, particularly in newly diagnosed T2DM patients, remain limited. Our aim was to investigate the association between TNFSF14 and CIMT in patients with newly diagnosed T2DM and to evaluate whether these markers could serve as supportive indicators for T2DM, including age-based comparison between adult and older patient groups.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the Internal Medicine Outpatient Clinics of a tertiary hospital. Newly diagnosed T2DM patients and controls without DM were included in the study. Biochemical parameters, TNFSF14 levels and CIMT were measured. Serum TNFSF14 levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and CIMT was assessed by B-mode ultrasonography. Statistical analyses were performed to determine correlations between TNFSF14, CIMT, and metabolic parameters, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was used to evaluate diagnostic performance. Data were assessed in whole group and according to age groups (≥50<years).Results: 79 patients with T2DM and 90 patients without DM were included in the study. TNFSF14, and CIMT levels were significantly higher in patients with T2DM than control group patients (p<0.001). TNFSF14 was positively correlated with CIMT (p<0.001) and showed strong diagnostic performance with an AUC of 0.90 (95%CI, 0.85-0.95, p<0.001) for presence of T2DM. Optimal cut-off value of TNFSF14 for discriminating T2DM was 57.60, 91% sensitivity, 82% specificity. TNFSF14 also showed strong diagnostic performance in both older and adult patient groups as well. CIMT showed moderate diagnostic value for diabetes overall and in those aged 50+, but with poor specificity.Conclusions: CIMT and especially circulating TNFSF14 with a high sensitivity and specificity might be used as supportive markers for T2DM, regardless of age.

Discussion

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Cite This Study

Çavdar et al. (2026) conducted a cross-sectional in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (n=169). TNFSF14 vs. Non-diabetic controls was evaluated on CIMT and TNFSF14 level in relation to presence of T2DM (AUC 0.90, 95% CI 0.85-0.95, p=<0.001). TNFSF14 levels and carotid intima-media thickness were significantly higher in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes patients compared to non-diabetic controls, with TNFSF14 demonstrating strong diagnostic accuracy for T2DM (AUC 0.90, sensitivity 91%, specificity 82%).

synapsesocial.com/papers/69b3ace502a1e69014ccef21 https://doi.org/10.22391/fppc.1802627

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Association of TNFSF14 with carotid intima-media thickness in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes: a comparison of older and younger adults

Key Points

Study Design

Structured PICO

Main Result

Limitations

Ask about this paper

Implication

Abstract

Discussion

Cite This Study

Association of TNFSF14 with carotid intima-media thickness in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes: a comparison of older and younger adults

Key Points

Study Design

Structured PICO

Main Result

Limitations

Ask about this paper

Implication

Abstract

Discussion

Cite This Study

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