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Serum cystatin C is related to pulse wave velocity even in subjects with normal serum creatinine

Sang Heon Song1, Ihm Soo Kwak, Young Joo Kim

  • 1Department of Internal Medicine, Pusan National University Hospital, Busan, Republic of Korea.

Hypertension Research : Official Journal of the Japanese Society of Hypertension
|November 19, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Serum cystatin C predicts arterial stiffness better than creatinine, even with normal kidney function. This marker is valuable for assessing vascular health in both men and women.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Nephrology
  • Biomarkers

Background:

  • Arterial stiffness is a predictor of cardiovascular events.
  • Serum creatinine and creatinine-based glomerular filtration rate (GFR) are standard measures of kidney function but may not fully capture cardiovascular risk.
  • Cystatin C is an emerging biomarker for kidney function and potentially cardiovascular health.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate if serum cystatin C is associated with arterial stiffness independently of serum creatinine.
  • To compare the predictive value of cystatin C versus creatinine-based GFR for arterial stiffness.
  • To investigate sex-specific relationships between cystatin C and arterial stiffness.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional study of 2,018 individuals (1,120 males, 898 females).
  • Arterial stiffness was assessed using brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV).
  • Statistical analyses included correlation and stepwise multivariate regression, with sex-specific analyses performed.

Main Results:

  • A significant positive relationship was found between serum cystatin C and baPWV in both males (r²=0.056) and females (r²=0.090).
  • Independent predictors of baPWV in males included age, waist circumference, heart rate, cystatin C, triglycerides, and fasting glucose.
  • Independent predictors of baPWV in females included age, heart rate, cystatin C, fasting glucose, and insulin levels. Age, heart rate, fasting glucose, and cystatin C were significant in both genders.

Conclusions:

  • Serum cystatin C is significantly related to arterial stiffness (baPWV) even in individuals with normal serum creatinine levels.
  • Cystatin C demonstrates potential as a more predictable marker of arterial stiffness compared to serum creatinine and creatinine-based GFR.
  • These findings highlight the utility of cystatin C in assessing vascular health, particularly in individuals with preserved kidney function based on creatinine.

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