Serum Cystatin C as a Predictive Biomarker for Hypertensive Nephropathy: A Case-Control Study in Al-Najaf Province

Abstract

Hypertension is a major risk factor for the development of chronic kidney disease and end-stage renal failure, often progressing without noticeable symptoms until significant renal impairment has occurred. Early detection of kidney dysfunction is essential for initiating appropriate therapeutic interventions. However, conventional biomarkers such as serum creatinine are limited by their dependence on muscle mass and delayed response to changes in glomerular filtration rate. This study aimed to assess the diagnostic value of serum cystatin C as an early biomarker for detecting nephropathy in hypertensive individuals and its significance in tracking disease progression. A total of one hundred thirty-five participants aged between thirty-five and seventy years were enrolled and categorized into three groups: forty-five hypertensive patients without clinically evident nephropathy, forty-five hypertensive patients with clinically diagnosed nephropathy, and forty-five healthy individuals as controls. Serum cystatin C levels were measured utilizing the fluorescence immunoassay technique. The study was conducted at Al-Sadr Teaching Hospital and Al-Najaf Teaching Hospital. Findings demonstrated significantly elevated serum cystatin C levels in hypertensive patients with nephropathy compared to those without nephropathy and the control group. Moreover, serum cystatin C levels exhibited a strong correlation with traditional renal function parameters, indicating its reliability in detecting renal impairment. In conclusion, serum cystatin C shows promise as a sensitive and early indicator of kidney dysfunction in hypertensive patients and may play a critical role in the early diagnosis and management of hypertensive nephropathy.