Why Choose Serum Cystatin C Levels over Serum Creatinine Levels as a Serologic Marker of Kidney Function?
Authors: Bryan Kestenbaum
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (2008)

Letters19 August 2008Why Choose Serum Cystatin C Levels over Serum Creatinine Levels as a Serologic Marker of Kidney Function?Bryan Kestenbaum, MD, MSBryan Kestenbaum, MD, MSFrom the University of Washington, Harborview Medical Center, Seattle, WA 98104.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-149-4-200808190-00017 SectionsAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail IN RESPONSE:We chose serum cystatin C level as a serologic marker of kidney function for 3 reasons. First, serum cystatin C levels provide a more precise estimate of the GFR than do serum creatinine levels. In a recent pooled analysis, cystatin C levels accounted for 82% of the variation in radionucleotide-measured GFR, whereas serum creatinine levels accounted for 74% (1). Second, cystatin C levels are more accurate than serum creatinine levels for detecting early disturbances in kidney function (2, 3). Third, the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease equation incorporates terms for age, race, and sex, potentially confusing associations ...References1. Stevens LA, Coresh J, Schmid CH, Feldman HI, Froissart M, Kusek J, et al. Estimating GFR using serum cystatin C alone and in combination with serum creatinine: a pooled analysis of 3, 418 individuals with CKD. Am J Kidney Dis. 2008;51:395-406. [PMID: 18295055] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar2. Coll E, Botey A, Alvarez L, Poch E, Quinto L, Saurina A, et al. Serum cystatin C as a new marker for noninvasive estimation of glomerular filtration rate and as a marker for early renal impairment. Am J Kidney Dis. 2000;36:29-34. [PMID: 10873868] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar3. Randers E, Erlandsen EJ, Pedersen OL, Hasling C, Danielsen H. Serum cystatin C as an endogenous parameter of the renal function in patients with normal to moderately impaired kidney function. Clin Nephrol. 2000;54:203-9. [PMID: 11020018] MedlineGoogle Scholar Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAuthors: Bryan Kestenbaum, MD, MSAffiliations: From the University of Washington, Harborview Medical Center, Seattle, WA 98104.Disclosures: None disclosed. PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetailsSee AlsoDifferences in Kidney Function and Incident Hypertension: The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis Bryan Kestenbaum , Kyle D. Rudser , Ian H. de Boer , Carmen A. Peralta , Linda F. Fried , Michael G. Shlipak , Walter Palmas , Catherine Stehman-Breen , and David S. Siscovick Why Choose Serum Cystatin C Levels over Serum Creatinine Levels as a Serologic Marker of Kidney Function? Iddo Z. Ben-Dov Metrics 19 August 2008Volume 149, Issue 4Page: 284KeywordsBlood pressureConflicts of interestCreatinineDietForecastingHypertensionKidneysRacial and ethnic issuesRenal diseasesSystolic pressure ePublished: 19 August 2008 Issue Published: 19 August 2008 Copyright & PermissionsCopyright © 2008 by American College of Physicians. All Rights Reserved.PDF downloadLoading ...