Diagnostic Value of Plasma Cystatin C as a

culated creatinine clearance are of limited value as glomerular filtration rate (GFR) markers in patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis. We assessed plasma cystatin C as an indicator of GFR in such patients. Methods: We studied 36 patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis and 56 noncirrhotic controls, both groups including individuals with normal and impaired renal function. GFR was measured in all individuals by inulin clearance, with values <72 mL min1 1.73 m2 considered decreased. We measured cystatin C and creatinine in plasma and calculated (from plasma con-centrations) and measured creatinine clearances, using for them decision points of 1.25 mg/L, 115 mol/L, and 72 and 72 mL min1 1.73 m2, respectively. Results: Plasma cystatin C concentrations were simila