Cystatin C and cardiovascular or all-cause mortality risk in the general population: A meta-analysis

Area of Science:

• Biomarkers
• Epidemiology
• Clinical Chemistry

Background:

• Elevated cystatin C levels are associated with increased cardiovascular events and mortality in high-risk groups.
• The association between cystatin C and mortality in the general population requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between serum cystatin C levels and cardiovascular or all-cause mortality risk in the general population.

Main Methods:

• A meta-analysis was conducted using studies published up to May 2015 from PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library.
• Prospective studies assessing serum cystatin C and mortality risk in the general population were selected.
• Pooled hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated.

Main Results:

• Nine studies involving 38,854 participants were analyzed.
• Higher cystatin C levels were associated with increased all-cause mortality (HR 1.72) and cardiovascular mortality (HR 2.74) when comparing the highest to lowest categories.
• Each standard deviation increase in cystatin C elevated all-cause mortality risk by 32% and cardiovascular mortality risk by 57%.

Conclusions:

• Elevated serum cystatin C levels are independently associated with increased cardiovascular and all-cause mortality risk.
• Serum cystatin C may serve as a valuable prognostic biomarker for mortality in the general population, particularly in elderly individuals.