The significance of cystatin-C detection in early diagnosis of diabetic nephropathy

Objective To explore the significance of cystatin-C detection in early diagnosis of diabetic nephropathy.Methods One hundred and twenty patients defined as diabetic mellitus were enrolled and assigned into simple diabetic mellitus group(n=40),early stage of diabetic nephropathy group(n=40),and middle-late stage of diabetic nephropathy group(n=40) according to 24 hour urinary albumin excretion rate(UAER).Glomerular filtration rate(GFR),serum levels of cystatin-C,creatinine and blood urea nitrogen were detected and the relationship among these variables was evaluated.Results There was significant difference in course and UAER among patients in different stages of the disease(P0.05),and GFR in early and middle-late stages of diabetic nephropathy groups compared with simple diabetic group was reduced,and serum levels of cystatin-C,creatinine and blood urea nitrogen were significantly increased(P0.05).According to Pearson analysis,cystatin-C was correlated with GFR and levels of creatinine and blood urea nitrogen.Conclusion Cystatin-C can be used as an indicator in early diagnosis of diabetic nephropathy.