1260 - Cystatin C versus Creatinine as a Marker for Monitoring of Renal Function in Spinal Cord Injury patients: A Narrative Review

Objectives: This narrative review aimed to evaluate the extent to which cystatin C has been investigated as a marker of renal disease in individuals living with spinal cord injury (SCI) compared to the conventional marker, creatinine.

Design:
A comprehensive search was conducted across three major databases to identify studies focusing on creatinine or cystatin C and their correlation with glomerular filtration rate in SCI patients.


Results:
Among the 355 studies retrieved, twenty-one articles met the predefined inclusion criteria, forming a robust foundation for this narrative review. Our findings underscored the limitations of creatinine as a reliable indicator of renal function in SCI patients. The reliance of creatinine on muscle mass posed significant challenges in this population, as muscle atrophy often follows neurologic injury. Conversely, cystatin C emerged as a promising alternative biomarker for renal function assessment in SCI patients.


Conclusions:
This narrative review concludes that while both cystatin C and creatinine have been investigated as markers of renal disease in individuals with spinal cord injury, creatinine has dominated the literature. However, the limitations associated with creatinine in the context of SCI patients underscore the pressing need for a more accurate biomarker. Cystatin C offers a potential solution, showing promise as an alternative marker that may better reflect renal function in this specific population. The accumulated evidence suggests that future research should prioritize cystatin C as a biomarker for renal health in SCI patients, potentially revolutionizing the monitoring and management of renal disease in this vulnerable group.