# Evaluation of cystatin C and microalbuminuria as predictive markers for hypertension-related renal complications

**Authors:** Jinyu Li, Shiming Guan, Zhuoqun Zou, Lijuan Yang, Bo Qian, Li Shen, Ye Li

PMC · DOI: 10.1186/s41065-025-00557-7 · Hereditas · 2025-10-17

## TL;DR

This study shows that combining cystatin C and microalbuminuria improves predicting kidney issues in people with high blood pressure.

## Contribution

The study demonstrates that combining cystatin C and microalbuminuria enhances predictive accuracy for hypertension-related renal complications.

## Key findings

- Cystatin C and microalbuminuria levels were significantly higher in hypertension patients compared to controls.
- Combined use of cystatin C and microalbuminuria improved predictive accuracy for blood pressure levels.
- The combined biomarkers showed better predictive value than either marker alone.

## Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the correlation between blood pressure and the levels of two renal function markers, cystatin C and microalbuminuria, with the goal of evaluating their correlation across varying blood pressure categories.

A cohort of 3,000 participants, comprising 1,500 individuals with a diagnosis of hypertension and 1,500 normotensive controls, was analyzed. Data on blood pressure, serum cystatin C, microalbuminuria, and other relevant clinical parameters were collected at admission. Correlations between these markers and blood pressure levels were analyzed using SPSS 26.0 statistical software.

Levels of cystatin C and microalbuminuria were significantly higher in individuals with hypertension compared to the control group (P < 0.05). Furthermore, both biomarkers demonstrated a positive correlation with blood pressure (r = 0.140, P < 0.001). Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that the combined use of cystatin C and microalbuminuria provided a superior predictive value for blood pressure levels (P < 0.001). The combined predictive accuracy (R² = 0.114. R² = 0.112 after rectifying age, body mass index, and blood lipid levels) exceeded that of cystatin C (R² = 0.100) or microalbuminuria (R² = 0.113) when analyzed individually.

The biomarkers cystatin C and microalbuminuria are closely correlated with blood pressure levels. Their combined assessment offers an enhanced diagnostic approach for the early detection of renal complications in individuals with hypertension.

## Linked entities

- **Proteins:** CYSTATIN-C (cystatin-C)

## Full-text entities

- **Genes:** CST3 (cystatin C) [NCBI Gene 1471] {aka ADLDWA, ARMD11, HEL-S-2}
- **Diseases:** renal complications (MESH:D007674), hypertension (MESH:D006973)
- **Chemicals:** blood lipid (-)

## Full text

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12535119