BackgroundCystatin C seems promising for evaluating the risk of cardiovascular events
and mortality.ObjectiveTo evaluate the association between high levels of cystatin C and the
development of cardiovascular events or mortality.MethodsThe articles were selected in the Medline/PubMed, Web of Science, and Scielo
databases. The eligibility criteria were prospective cohort observational
trials that assessed the association of high serum levels of cystatin C with
the development of cardiovascular events or mortality in individuals with
normal renal function. Only studies that evaluated the mortality outcome
compared the fourth with the first quartile of cystatin C and performed
multivariate Cox’s proportional hazard regression analysis were included in
the meta-analysis. A p value < 0,05 was considered significant.ResultsAmong the 647 articles found, 12 were included in the systematic review and
two in the meta-analysis. The risk of development of adverse outcomes was
assessed by eight studies using the hazard ratio. Among them, six studies
found an increased risk of cardiovascular events or mortality. The
multivariate regression analysis was performed by six studies, and the risk
of developing adverse outcomes remained significant after the analysis in
four of these studies. The result of the meta-analysis [HR = 2.28
(1.70-3.05), p < 0.001] indicated that there is a significant
association between high levels of cystatin C and the risk of mortality in
individuals with normal renal function.ConclusionThere is a significant association between high levels of cystatin C and the
development of cardiovascular events or mortality in individuals with normal
renal function.