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Can proteins in blood predict early
death? (IANS) |
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Levels of two blood components -
cystatin C and beta trace protein - are newly proposed markers
that may be better predictors of an individuals’ future health.
The condition of kidneys could tell whether there is a
likelihood of premature death after its functioning is impaired.
Kidney function is most accurately represented by the kidneys’
filtration rate, but this is difficult to measure. Therefore,
blood levels of a protein called creatinine are commonly used to
assess kidney function.
But now it’s thought that cystatin C and beta trace protein may
go beyond indicating kidney health to include other aspects of
an individual’s wellbeing, the Journal of the American Society
Nephrology reports.
Mark Sarnak and Navdeep Tangri from Tufts University Medical
Centre and colleagues analysed data from the Modification of
Diet in Renal Disease Study, which provided levels of these
markers for 816 kidney disease patients who were then followed
for 16.6 years.
The researchers found that, independent of the kidneys’
filtration rate, participants with higher creatinine had a
higher risk of developing kidney failure, but a lower risk of
dying.
Those with higher cystatin C and beta trace protein had a higher
risk of both kidney failure and death, according to a Tufts
statement.
These results suggest that creatinine, beta trace protein and
cystatin C may be predictive of aspects of health that go beyond
the kidneys. Beta trace protein and cystatin C appear to provide
more consistent prognostic information than creatinine
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