Cystatin C renal function

Cystatin C better predicts kidney failure. This study is done from blood (serum).
Good marker to measure glomerular filtration rate GFR.

In older patients, cystatin C has a higher predictive value for kidney failure than serum creatinine. This is according to a study by researchers at the University of California, San Francisco, and others.

Cystatin C is a substance produced by almost all body cells and present at a constant level in the blood. When kidney function deteriorates, the level of cystatin C rises (as does that of creatinine). This makes it a new measure of kidney function, which also appears to be related to physical functioning at an advanced age.

Determining renal function via creatinine has its disadvantages. In particular, muscle metabolism can be a disturbing factor because it influences the serum creatinine. For this reason among others, scientists investigated whether cystatin C has a better predictive value than creatinine. A comparison between cystatin C and creatinine values shows that the former is a better predictor of cardiovascular problems. Higher cystatin C values are directly proportional to a higher risk of death.

The cystatin C concentration is independent of gender, muscle mass or protein intake.

Measurement method: TURB
When restricted (GFR) is suspected, this method is an improved renal function diagnosis, especially in the so-called "creatinine blind area".