Roche has launched a new assay for the early assessment of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in patients with impaired renal function. The Roche Cystatin C assay is more sensitive than creatinine measurements, allowing diagnosis of chronic kidney disease (CKD) at an early stage when therapeutic intervention is possible.
Cystatin C is an endogenous substance synthesised by all nucleated cells at a constant rate and filtered freely by the glomerulus. Unlike creatinine, cystatin C levels are not affected by muscle mass, age (below 50), gender or inflammation, and it is only eliminated via filtration, making it a convenient and accurate marker for the assessment of GFR.
The Roche Cystatin C assay is promoted for use in the assessment of children (under the age of four years) and patients under the age of 60, for early diagnosis of initially minor kidney damage (eg diabetes patients). It can also be used in monitoring kidney disease and post-transplantation patients, and for dose adjustment of drugs excreted in urine.
The assay is easy to use, requiring minimal handling, and produces highly precise and sensitive results from a sample volume of just 2 µL.
www.roche-diagnostics.co.uk