Association between high cystatin C levels and carotid atherosclerosis

• Published in: World journal of cardiology 2017-02, Vol.9 (2), p.174-181
• Main Authors: Kobayashi, Toshiyuki, Yokokawa, Hirohide, Fujibayashi, Kazutoshi, Haniu, Tomomi, Hisaoka, Teruhiko, Fukuda, Hiroshi, Naito, Toshio
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Observational Study
• ISSN: 1949-8462; 1949-8462
• DOI: 10.4330/wjc.v9.i2.174

AIM To investigate the association between carotid atherosclerosis and cystatin C(CysC) and to determine the optimal CysC cut-off value.METHODS One hundred twenty-eight subjects were included in this study. Atherosclerosis was defined as a maximum carotid plaque thickness(MCPT) of greater than 2 mm. A receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was used to determine the diagnostic value of serum CysC for atherosclerosis. The subjects were divided into two groups according to the CysC cut-off value. We screenedfor diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, smoking status, alcohol consumption, and exercise behavior. The association between atherosclerosis and CysC levels was assessed using multivariate analysis.RESULTS The subjects were then divided into two groups according to the CysC cut-off value(0.73 mg/L). The median age of the high CysC group was 72 years(85% males), whereas that of the low CysC group was 61 years(63% males). The CysC levels were significantly correlated with Cr and estimated glomerular filtration rate(eGFR) values. Bodymass index, visceral fat area, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and MCPT were significantly higher in the high CysC group than in the low CysC group. Furthermore, the eG FR was significantly lower in the high CysC group. Regarding lifestyle habits, only the exercise level was lower in the high CysC group than in the low CysC group. Multivariate analysis, adjusted for age and sex, revealed that high CysC levels were significantly associated with an MCPT of ≥ 2 mm(odds ratio: 2.92; 95%CI: 1.13-7.99).CONCLUSION Higher CysC levels were associated with an MCPT of ≥ 2 mm. The CysC cut-off value of 0.73 mg/L appears to aid in the diagnosis of atherosclerosis.