Correlation Of Serum Cystatin C Levels with Renal Dysfunction in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients Infected With SARS-Cov-2: A Prospective Observational Study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.53555/2dxcws33Keywords:
Cystatin C, Renal Dysfunction, COVID-19, Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, eGFR, SARS-CoV-2Abstract
Background:The emergence of COVID-19 has disproportionately affected patients with pre-existing comorbidities such as Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM), increasing the risk of multi-organ complications including renal dysfunction. Serum Cystatin C has emerged as a sensitive marker of early renal impairment, potentially superior to traditional creatinine-based estimates. Given this background, the present study was undertaken to evaluate serum Cystatin C levels in hospitalized patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and confirmed COVID-19 infection, and to assess its correlation with renal function parameters such as serum creatinine and eGFR across different levels of COVID-19 severity. The goal was to explore whether Cystatin C could serve as an early and sensitive biomarker for renal dysfunction in this vulnerable population and contribute to risk stratification and timely intervention.
Objective:To evaluate the correlation of serum Cystatin C levels with renal function in patients with T2DM infected with SARS-CoV-2 and compare values across COVID-19 severity levels.
Methods:This prospective observational study included 65 patients diagnosed with T2DM and RT-PCR- confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection. Patients were stratified into three groups based on COVID- 19 severity (mild, moderate, severe). Renal function was assessed via serum Cystatin C, serum creatinine, and eGFR. Statistical analysis included one-way ANOVA and descriptive comparisons.
Results:Mean Cystatin C values were 1.38 mg/L (mild), 1.45 mg/L (moderate), and 1.41 mg/L (severe). No statistically significant difference was found across groups (ANOVA F = 0.15, p = 0.860). Serum creatinine and eGFR followed similar patterns. Overall, renal biomarkers remained within subclinical ranges across severity categories.
Conclusion:Serum Cystatin C levels did not show a significant correlation with COVID-19 severity in T2DM patients. However, a mild elevation in moderate cases may indicate early renal involvement, supporting the role of Cystatin C in early nephropathy screening.
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