Serum cystatin C level is associated with locomotive syndrome risk and can be an early predictor in community-living people: The Yakumo study

Abstract

Objectives: The locomotive syndrome (LS) risk has been recently proposed as a criterion for evaluating physical ability. Serum cystatin C level is an early renal function marker and a cardiovascular disease predictor. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between serum cystatin C level and LS risk.

Methods: We enrolled 54 participants and conducted the two-step test, stand-up test, 25-question geriatric locomotive function scale, LS risk test, Timed Up and Go test, back muscle strength, grip strength, blood test and serum cystatin C level measurement. A comparative study was conducted in participants with and without LS risk and in subgroups aged <60 and ≥60 years.

Results: No significant difference was found in the serum cystatin C level in subgroups aged <60 years and without LS risk. However, it was significantly higher in subjects with LS risk and aged ≥60 years. The area under the curve of the serum cystatin C level for LS risk was 0.824.

Conclusion: The serum cystatin C level is significantly related to LS risk and can be an early predictor. In middle-aged and elderly people with high serum cystatin C levels, it is strongly recommended to enforce LS risk test and intervention.

Keywords:

• Community-living people
• health checkup
• locomotive syndrome risk
• serum cystatin C

Acknowledgments

We are grateful to the staff of the Comprehensive Health Care Program held in Yakumo, Hokkaido and Ms. Marie Miyazaki and Ms. Hiroko Ino of Nagoya University for their assistance throughout this study.

Conflict of interest

None.