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Increased serum cystatin C is associated with increased mortality in elderly men

A Larsson1, J Helmersson, L-O Hansson

  • 1Section of Clinical Chemistry, Department of Medical Sciences, Uppsala University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden. anders.larsson@akademiska.se

Scandinavian Journal of Clinical and Laboratory Investigation
|August 4, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Plasma cystatin C levels predict mortality risk in elderly men. Higher cystatin C indicates increased risk, suggesting its utility in assessing mortality in older populations.

Area of Science:

  • Gerontology
  • Nephrology
  • Cardiovascular Medicine

Background:

  • Renal dysfunction, indicated by serum creatinine, is linked to higher cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.
  • Plasma cystatin C is recognized as a more accurate marker than plasma creatinine for estimating glomerular filtration rate (GFR).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine the association between plasma cystatin C levels and all-cause mortality in elderly men.
  • To determine if cystatin C can serve as a prognostic marker for mortality in this demographic.

Main Methods:

  • Serum cystatin C was measured using nephelometry in 792 men aged 77 years.
  • Mortality data were collected over a 1-4 year follow-up period.
  • Statistical analysis correlated cystatin C levels with mortality outcomes.

Main Results:

  • Plasma cystatin C levels showed a significant correlation with overall mortality (p=0.013).
  • Men in the highest cystatin C quintile had a threefold higher mortality rate compared to those in the lowest quintile.

Conclusions:

  • Elevated plasma cystatin C is a significant predictor of mortality in elderly men.
  • Cystatin C may be a valuable tool for risk stratification of mortality in older male populations.

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