Ma L, Yu W, Dai X, et al. - A total of 34 untreated patients with Takayasu arteritis (TA, an autoimmune disease identified by granulomatous inflammation of the all three layers of the aorta and its branches) and 40 age-matched healthy controls were involved in this study in order to ascertain the serum leptin level to examine its association with imaging alterations and for long-term radiological progression, evaluate its importance as a predictor. In individuals with TA vs healthy controls, the baseline serum leptin levels were significantly higher. Leptin was significantly positively associated with triglyceride and HDL-C levels and negatively related to fibrinogen and CRP levels. On the basis of their baseline leptin level, individuals were further categorized into three groups. During a 5-year follow-up, in contrast with those in the low leptin group, individuals in the high and medium leptin groups exhibited more radiological progress. Cox proportional hazard regression analysis explicated that a high serum leptin level was a positive prognosticator of radiological progression. In conclusion, for evaluating TA structural progress, leptin is a possible biomarker. Moreover, untreated individuals with raised serum leptin levels are at a greater risk of progression in the aorta. Therefore, for long-term radiological progression, the leptin level could be a predictor.