Serum Cystatin C: A Novel Marker of Diabetic Nephropathy and Other Diseases

Diabetes has become the most common single cause of end stage renal disease (ESRD) in most countries; this is due to the fact that diabetes, particularly type 2, is increasing in prevalence, diabetic patients now live longer and patients with diabetic ESRD are now accepted for treatment in ESRD programs where formerly they had been excluded. About 20 30% of patients with type 1 or type 2 Diabetes develop evidence of nephropathy. Recent studies have now demonstrated that the onset and course of DN can be ameliorated to a significant degree by several interventions but these interventions have their greatest impact if instituted at a point very early in the course of the development of this complication.