Evaluation of serum Cystatin C as a predictor of eGFR in type 2 diabetic patients with nephropathy

Authors

  • Aqsa Fatima Department of Nephrology, Liaquat University and Medical Health Sciences, Hyderabad & Jamshoro, Pakistan
  • Pooran Mal Department of Nephrology, Liaquat University and Medical Health Sciences, Hyderabad & Jamshoro, Pakistan
  • Zoheb Rafique Memon Department of Community Medicine, Liaquat University and Medical Health Sciences, Hyderabad & Jamshoro, Pakistan
  • Mukesh Kumar Department of Nephrology, Liaquat University and Medical Health Sciences, Hyderabad & Jamshoro, Pakistan
  • Haseeb Jameel Memon, Department of Nephrology, Liaquat University and Medical Health Sciences, Hyderabad & Jamshoro, Pakistan
  • Misbah Fatima Department of Nephrology, Abbasi Shaheed Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.53685/jshmdc.v6i1.294

Keywords:

Cystatin C, Glomerular Filtration Rate, Diabetic Nephropathy, Type 2 Diabetes

Abstract

Background: Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is the leading cause of chronic kidney disease (CKD) worldwide.

Objective: To evaluate serum Cystatin C as a predictor of eGFR in type 2 diabetic patients with nephropathy.

Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted at the Department of Nephrology, Liaquat University of Medical & Health Sciences, Jamshoro, Pakistan, from 10th March to 9th September 2023. Patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) for more than five years, both males and females, 30 to 65 years of age, and with nephropathy for the last 2 years were included in the study. Serum creatinine, serum Cystatin C (Cys-C), fasting blood sugar (FBS), glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), total protein, and albumin were measured. A spot urine sample was collected to analyze total urinary protein, albumin, and creatinine levels. The estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was calculated using the CKD Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) equation. One-way ANOVA, Pearson correlation test, and Linear regression analysis were done to analyze the data.

Results: A total of 113 patients were analyzed, with a mean age of 55.5±6.1 years. The mean duration of T2D was 12.0±5.3 years. The mean HbA1c level was 9.1±1.3%. Based on Cys-C levels, the mean eGFR was 71.33±24.8 mL/min/1.73m². Among the participants, 43(38.1%), were suffering from Stage II, 32(28.3%) from Stage I, 32(28.3%) from Stage III, and 6(5.3%) from Stage IV CKD.  A majority of 50(44.2%) of study participants had microalbuminuria. A statistically significant (p<0.001) negative correlation between eGFR and Cys-C level was observed among the study participants. Serum Cystatin C is a significant (<0.05) predictor of eGFR.

Conclusion: Serum Cystatin C was a significant predictor of eGFR in type 2 diabetic patients with nephropathy. The strong negative relationship between Cystatin C and eGFR supports its potential role as a valuable marker for assessing renal function in diabetic patients.

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Published

06/27/2025

How to Cite

[1]
Fatima, A., Mal, P., Memon, Z.R., Kumar, M., Memon, , H.J. and Fatima, M. 2025. Evaluation of serum Cystatin C as a predictor of eGFR in type 2 diabetic patients with nephropathy. Journal of Shalamar Medical & Dental College - JSHMDC. 6, 1 (Jun. 2025), 03–08. DOI:https://doi.org/10.53685/jshmdc.v6i1.294.

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