Elevated serum cystatin C is an independent predictor of cardiovascular events in people with relatively normal renal function.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Serum level of cystatin C could predict morbidity and mortality for cardiovascular disease in patients with coronary heart disease. However, the predictive value of cystatin C for cardiovascular events in subjects with relatively normal renal function, especially in Asian populations, has rarely been investigated. The current study investigated the relationship between cystatin C and cardiovascular events in a community-based population in Beijing. METHODS: Residents (n=724) with relatively normal renal function (estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR] =60 ml/min per 1.73 m2), who attended a community hospital in an urban district of Beijing, were recruited in the study. Risk factors for cardiovascular events were analyzed. RESULTS: Compared with subjects without cardiovascular events, those with cardiovascular events were older (p<0.000001) and had a higher proportion of males (p<0.01), those with diabetes (p<0.05) and smokers (p<0.05). Subjects with cardiovascular events had lower levels of serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and eGFR than those without (p<0.05, p<0.01, respectively). The serum level of cystatin C was significantly higher in subjects with cardiovascular events than in subjects without cardiovascular events (p<0.01). Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that the independent predictors of cardiovascular events were age, hypertension and serum level of cystatin C (higher than 0.88 mg/L). CONCLUSIONS: Besides the traditional risk factors, a higher level of serum cystatin C might be another independent risk factor for cardiovascular events, even in those with relatively normal renal function.