1Ph.D. Scholar, Department of Biochemistry, SBKS MI & RC, Sumandeep Vidyapeeth Deemed to be University, Piparia, Vadodara, Gujarat, India. Email: vanaraj.diyora@gmail.com
2Professor, Department of Biochemistry, SBKS MI & RC, Sumandeep Vidyapeeth Deemed to be University, Piparia, Vadodara, Gujarat, India
3Lab Director & Professor, Department of Pathology, SBKS MI & RC, Sumandeep Vidyapeeth Deemed to be University, Piparia, Vadodara, Gujarat, India
*Corresponding Author: Mr. Vanaraj Diyora (Ph.D. Scholar), Department of Biochemistry, SBKS MI & RC, Sumandeep Vidyapeeth Deemed to be University, Piparia, Vadodara, Gujarat, India. Contact: +91-7405550294; Email: vanaraj.diyora@gmail.com
Introduction: Renal dysfunction is a well-recognized but often underdiagnosed complication of sickle cell disease (SCD). Conventional renal function markers such as serum creatinine and urea may underestimate early kidney injury, necessitating the evaluation of novel biomarkers. So, estimation of serum Cystatin-C and β-2 microglobulin (β2M) and NAG has been proposed as a sensitive alternative in SCD patients.
Aim: This study aimed to assess the prevalence of renal dysfunction in SCD and evaluate the diagnostic performance of Cystatin-C and β2M compared to conventional markers.
Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at Smt. Bhikhiben kanjibhai shah medical institute and research centre, Piparia, Vadodara. Over a period of one year (January 2024 to December 2024) on 200 SCD patients aged 18–35 years. Participants were stratified into two groups: Group 1 (n=177) without renal dysfunction and Group 2 (n=23) with renal dysfunction, based on serum creatinine and Demographic distribution. Biochemical parameters (blood urea, creatinine, uric acid, total protein, albumin, and electrolytes), and novel biomarkers (Cystatin-C and β2M) were analyzed. P<0.05 is significant. Correlations between novel and conventional renal markers were assessed using Pearson's correlation coefficient.
Results: Renal dysfunction was identified in 23 (11.5%) of the cohort, with higher prevalence in males 13 (17.1%) compared to females 10 (8.1%), and greater frequency in the 23–27 years age group (19.4%). Patients with renal impairment exhibited significantly higher levels of blood urea (72.5 ± 51.9 vs. 24.7 ± 8.02 mg/dL, p<0.001), serum creatinine (2.13 ± 1.5 vs. 0.67 ± 0.12 mg/dL, p<0.001), and uric acid (6.6 ± 1.7 vs. 5.17 ± 0.86 mg/dL, p<0.001), along with reduced serum albumin and total protein. Electrolyte disturbances (Na⁺, K⁺, Cl⁻) were also more pronounced in the renal dysfunction group. Cystatin-C levels were markedly elevated in Group 2 (4.40 ± 2.1 vs. 0.78 ± 0.25 mg/L, p<0.001) and showed significant correlations with urea (r=0.416, p=0.048) and creatinine (r=0.520, p=0.011). In contrast, β2M levels did not differ significantly between groups (p=0.502) and showed weak, non-significant correlations with conventional markers, p<0.05 is significant.
Conclusion: Serum Cystatin-C demonstrated superior sensitivity and significant correlation with conventional renal markers. As per results finding β2M, although biologically relevant, and show less significant predictive value compare to others in this cohort. Incorporating Cystatin-C into routine monitoring of SCD patients may enable earlier intervention, potentially reducing progression to chronic kidney disease.
Keywords: Sickle cell, renal dysfunction, biomarkers, kidney disease, creatinine.
How to cite this article: Diyora V, Shah T, Jasani J. Assessing Renal Function in Sickle Cell Disease: A Comparative Analysis of Cystatin-C, Beta-2 Microglobulin, and NAG. Int J Drug Deliv Technol. 2026;16(12s): 500-506. DOI: 10.25258/ijddt.16.12s.61
Source of support: Nil.
Conflict of interest: None