A Simple Blood Test Mismatch Linked to Kidney Failure and Death
- A significant difference between creatinine and cystatin C levels, two common blood tests used to assess kidney health, could serve as an early warning sign for kidney failure,...
- Doctors traditionally use creatinine, a blood marker reflecting muscle waste filtration, to estimate kidney function.
- researchers at NYU Langone Health discovered that substantial differences between creatinine and cystatin C results are frequent, especially in hospitalized patients.An international analysis revealed that over one-third (30%...
Discrepancies in Kidney Function Tests May Predict Serious Health Risks
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A significant difference between creatinine and cystatin C levels, two common blood tests used to assess kidney health, could serve as an early warning sign for kidney failure, heart disease, and death, according to research published in January 2024.
Understanding Creatinine and Cystatin C
Doctors traditionally use creatinine, a blood marker reflecting muscle waste filtration, to estimate kidney function. Current medical guidelines now also recommend cystatin C, a protein produced by all cells, for kidney assessment. Utilizing both markers provides a more complete evaluation than either test individually, as they are influenced by distinct biological processes.
The Concerning Gap in Test Results
researchers at NYU Langone Health discovered that substantial differences between creatinine and cystatin C results are frequent, especially in hospitalized patients.An international analysis revealed that over one-third (30% or more) of hospitalized patients exhibited cystatin C levels indicating kidney function at least 30% poorer than their creatinine levels suggested. researchers believe this discrepancy may signal underlying,undetected disease.
“Our findings highlight the importance of measuring both creatinine and cystatin C to gain a true understanding of how well the kidneys are working, particularly among older and sicker adults,” said morgan Grams, MD, PhD, study co-corresponding author. “Evaluating both biomarkers may identify far more people with poor kidney function, and earlier in the disease process, by covering the blind spots that go with either test.”
Study Details and Publication
The research was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association and presented at the American Society of Nephrology’s annual Kidney Week conference in November 2023. The study involved a large international analysis of patient data, revealing the prevalence of discrepancies between the two kidney function tests.