ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Proteinuria is a risk factor for end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Creatinine clearance (CrCl) is usually used as a marker to monitor the progression of ESRD, while cystatin C (CYST) has also been considered as a marker of renal function. Tumor-associated trypsin inhibitor (TATI) has been shown to be a promising marker of renal function. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between CrCl, CYST, ß(2)-microglobulin (B2M) and TATI, with glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in patients with different levels of proteinuria. METHODS: Seventy-one patients (37 males, 34 females, mean age 53 ± 15 years) were included in the study. GFR was measured by the bladder cumulative method using (99m)Tc-DTPA. Blood levels of CYST, B2M and TATI were also measured. CrCl and proteinuria were determined by 24-hour urine collection. Statistical analysis was performed with multivariate analysis. RESULTS: The results are expressed as the ratio to GFR of CrCl and reciprocals of CYST (100/CYST), B2M (100/B2M) and TATI (100/TATI). The ratio CrCl/GFR increased from 1.41 in patients with proteinuria <1 g/day, to 1.66 (p<0.05) in those with proteinuria >3 g/day. The ratio 100/CYST/GFR was 1.67 and 2.28 (p<0.05), 100/B2M/GFR 0.90 and 0.69 and 100/TATI/GFR 0.14 and 0.19, respectively. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that ClCr/GFR as well as 100/CYST/GFR was independently related to the degree of proteinuria. CONCLUSIONS: CrCl and CYST overestimate GFR in patients with heavy proteinuria, while the ratios 100/TATI and 100/B2M with GFR do not significantly change. The direct measurement of GFR still remains the best method to assess the progression of renal damage in patients with heavy proteinuria.
