Aplicabilidad de las ecuaciones que emplean cistatina C y creatinina sérica en la evaluación de la función renal a través de la estimación de la tasa de filtrado glomerular

Abstract

The glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is widely recognized as the best indicator of overall kidney function. Various biomarkers are used to evaluate kidney function in clinical practice, with serum creatinine being the most traditional. However, serum creatinine has limitations due to extrarenal factors such as muscle mass, age, and race. In contrast, cystatin C has emerged as a modern biomarker that is not influenced by these external factors, allowing for a more accurate estimation of GFR. Several equations have been developed to estimate GFR using both biomarkers, either separately or in combination. A notable example is the equation developed by the CKD-EPI group, which employs both cystatin C and serum creatinine. The applicability and accuracy of these equations in different populations and clinical conditions represent a crucial and ongoing area of study. To evaluate the effectiveness of these equations, various studies covering a wide range of renal pathologies were analyzed. The results indicate that equations incorporating cystatin C demonstrate greater accuracy in estimating GFR compared to those based solely on creatinine. Furthermore, combining both biomarkers in integrated equations further improves the accuracy of GFR estimation, providing a more comprehensive approach to assessing kidney function. This research offers a detailed view of the utility of cystatin C in evaluating and preventing renal dysfunction, with significant implications for current and future clinical practice. The incorporation of equations that combine cystatin C and serum creatinine can significantly enhance diagnostic accuracy and the management of patients with chronic kidney disease, highlighting the need to adopt these methods in daily clinical practice to optimize patient care.