ABSTRACT
In the presented work, the role of modern biomarkers of kidney dysfunction in elderly (n=97) and senile (n=18) patients was investigated. A clinical and laboratory examination was performed with an assessment of the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) using the CKD-EPI formula. Serum levels of cystatin C and metabolism of beta-2-microglobulin (ß2-MG) were assessed. In the presented sample, the prevalence of a decrease in GFR <60 ml/min was 30,4% of cases. The frequency of individuals with elevated serum cystatin C, depending on the GFR category (CKD-EPI), was as follows: C1 - in 79,9%; C2 - in 77,6%; C3A - in 74%; C3B - in 80,6%; C4 - in 100%; C5 - in 100%. An increase in the serum level of ß2-MG was observed in 51,8 and 58,4% of patients, respectively, on C1 and C2 gradations of renal function. An increase in urinary ß2-MG excretion was found in 40,7% of patients at C1 and 41,5% at C2 gradations of renal function. The number of patients who had elevated levels of ß2-MG excretion in the urine at C3B and C4 gradations of GFR reduction was 75 and 88,6%, respectively. At the terminal stage of CKD, almost every patient showed an increase in ß2-MG excretion in the urine. A statistically significant relationship between the metabolism of ß2-MG and the nitrogen excretion function of the kidneys was established. In elderly and senile people, the determination of serum levels of cystatin C and ß2-MG makes it possible to detect a decrease in the filtration function of the kidneys at an earlier stage compared with the assessment of GFR calculated from the level of blood creatinine. Elevated levels of cystatin C and ß2-MG are additional risk factors for cardiovascular complications.
