Background: Elevated cystatin C level was associated with excessive risk of cardiovascular events and mortality in the highly cardiovascular risk populations. We conducted this meta-analysis to investigate the relationship between serum cystatin C level and cardiovascular or all-cause mortality risk in the general population.
Methods: We searched for all relevant studies published through May 2015 using PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library. Prospective studies that assessed the relationship between serum cystatin C level and cardiovascular or all-cause mortality risk in the general population were selected. Pooled adjust hazard risk (HR) and the corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated for continuous and category of cystatin C level.
Results: Nine studies composed of 38,854 participants were analyzed. Elevated serum cystatin C level was associated with excessive risk of all-cause mortality (HR 1.72; 95% CI 1.37-2.16) and cardiovascular mortality (HR 2.74; 95% CI 2.04-3.68) comparing the highest to lowest category of cystatin C. Each standard deviation increment in serum cystatin C level increased 32% all-cause (HR 1.32; 95% CI 1.12-1.55) and 57% cardiovascular mortality (HR 1.57; 95% CI 1.31-1.88) risk.
Conclusions: Elevated serum cystatin C level is independently associated with excessive cardiovascular and all-cause mortality risk in elderly persons.
Keywords: All-cause mortality; Cardiovascular mortality; Cystatin C; Meta-analysis.
Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.