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[Cystatin C and other cardiovascular markers in hypertension]

Enrique Rodilla1, José A Costa, Francisco Pérez Lahiguera

  • 1Unidad de Hipertensión Arterial y Riesgo Vascular, Servicio de Medicina Interna, Hospital de Sagunto, Agencia Valenciana de Salud, Valencia, Spain.

Medicina Clinica
|January 29, 2008
PubMed

Insights

In hypertensive patients, estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is the primary factor associated with cystatin C levels. Elevated cystatin C does not necessarily indicate increased urinary albumin excretion (UAE).

Area of Science:

  • Nephrology
  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Biomarkers

Context:

  • Hypertension is a major cardiovascular risk factor.
  • Cystatin C is a potential biomarker for cardiovascular risk and kidney function.
  • Understanding cystatin C's relationship with other risk factors in hypertensive patients is crucial.

Purpose:

  • To investigate the association between cystatin C and cardiovascular risk factors in hypertensive outpatients.
  • To identify independent predictors of elevated cystatin C levels in this population.

Summary:

  • A cross-sectional study evaluated 283 hypertensive outpatients with normal creatinine.
  • Cystatin C levels correlated with estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR), C-reactive protein (CRP), and urinary albumin excretion (UAE).
  • In regression analysis, GFR was the strongest predictor of cystatin C variability, followed by age and CRP. UAE was not an independent predictor of high cystatin C.

Impact:

  • Highlights the significance of GFR as a key determinant of cystatin C in hypertensive individuals.
  • Suggests that elevated cystatin C in hypertension may not directly reflect significant albuminuria.
  • Informs clinical practice regarding the interpretation of cystatin C as a cardiovascular and renal biomarker in hypertension.
Abstract

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