Serum Cystatin C Levels in COPD: Potential Diagnostic Value and Relation between Respiratory Functions

Area of Science:

• Pulmonary Medicine
• Biomarker Discovery
• Clinical Diagnostics

Background:

• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a significant respiratory illness.
• Understanding biomarkers for COPD diagnosis and progression is crucial.
• Serum cystatin C (CysC) is a potential biomarker under investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine serum CysC levels in COPD patients during stable and exacerbation phases.
• To assess the diagnostic value of CysC in COPD.
• To explore the relationship between CysC levels and pulmonary function tests (PFTs).

Main Methods:

• Included 126 COPD patients (stable and exacerbation) and 50 healthy controls.
• Evaluated PFT, BMI, WBC, CRP, urea, and creatinine.
• Measured serum CysC levels in all participants.

Main Results:

• Serum CysC levels were significantly higher in both COPD groups compared to controls (p<0.001).
• CysC showed negative correlation with FEV1 and positive correlation with CRP in stable COPD.
• CysC correlated positively with urea, creatinine, and CRP in COPD exacerbation. ROC analysis showed high diagnostic potential (AUC=0.951).

Conclusions:

• Serum CysC levels are elevated in COPD patients, irrespective of disease state.
• Increased CysC may indicate lung function decline and inflammation in COPD.
• Serum CysC demonstrates potential as a diagnostic biomarker for COPD.