Use of Both Creatinine and Cystatin C Improves Estimates of GFR

But it's unclear whether wider use of cystatin C would improve clinical outcomes.

The limitations of using serum creatinine to estimate glomerular filtration rate (GFR) are well known. One alternative is measurement of cystatin C, a protein produced by most human cells that is freely filtered by the glomerulus (JW Gen Med Apr 26 2011). In this study, researchers derived and validated estimating equations for GFR, using data from previously published studies that included direct GFR measurements by standardized methods (e.g., iothalamate clearance) and measurements of serum creatinine and cystatin C.

The average difference between estimated GFR and directly measured GFR was similar for estimating equations that used cystatin C alone, creatinine alone, or both (about 4 mL/minute difference). However, precision and accuracy …

Reviewing Author

Allan S. Brett, MD

Disclosures

Nothing to disclose

Allan S. Brett, MD

Disclosures

Nothing to disclose