Cystatin C: A Better Predictor of Kidney Function in Diabetic Patients .

Serum cystatin C is a new promising marker of renal function. The aim of this study was to analyze serum cystatin C as a better predictor of renal function in diabetic nephropathy. In 60 diagnosed diabetic patients, serum cystatin C and serum creatinine were assessed. Glomerular filtration rate was estimated based on the cystatin C concentration according to Cockcroft- Gault formula and based on serum creatinine concentration according to Larsson formula. DTPA-GFR (Diethylenetriamene pentaacetate Renogram) was done as reference standard. The cross tabulation of DTPA-GFR was done with eGFR- creatinine and eGFRcystatin C. The calculated sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of eGFR- creatinine were 85%, 87.2% and 85% respectively. The eGFR- cystatin C showed higher sensitivity, specificity and accuracy than eGFR- creatinine in studied diabetic subjects. The cystatin C showed more significant correlation, r=0.78, p<0.001 than serum creatinine, r=0.59, p<0.001 with DTPA-GFR in diabetic patients. This study demonstrates that serum cystatin C may be used for early prediction for renal function impairment in diabetic kidney disease.

Association of Serum Calcium and 24 Hours Urinary Excretion of Calcium in Patients of Preeclampsia.

Preeclampsia is a leading cause of fetal growth retardation, infant morbidity, mortality and maternal death. Several biochemical changes occur during the course of the disease, among them serum total calcium and 24 hr urinary calcium excretion rate have drawn remarkable attention. A case control study was designed to see the association of serum calcium and 24 hours urinary excretion of calcium in patients of pre- eclampsia. The study was done from July 2008 to June 2009 in the Department of Biochemistry, Dhaka Medical College, Dhaka. Total 60 subjects were selected as study population. Among them 30 were diagnosed case of preeclampsia and 30 were age- and sex-matched normal pregnant female healthy control. It was found that the mean measured serum calcium level in case group were 1.96 ±0.17 ( mean±SD ) mmol / l and that of control group were 2.34±0.12 (mean±SD) m mol/ l respectively. The mean 24 hr urinary calcium excretion level were 94.40 ±10.68mg/24 hr (mean±SD) in case group and that of control group were 154.35±66.68 (mean ±SD) mg / 24 hr respectively. The study suggests that low level of serum calcium and urinary excretion of calcium was associated with Pre-eclampsia.