Cystatin C and Urine Albumin to Creatinine Ratio Predict 5-Year Mortality and Cardiovascular Events in People Living With HIV

Abstract

Abstract Background Identifying people with HIV (PWH) at risk for chronic kidney disease, cardiovascular events, and death is crucial. We evaluated biomarkers to predict all-cause mortality and cardiovascular events, and measured glomerular filtration rate (mGFR) slope. Methods Biomarkers were measured at enrollment. Baseline and 5-year mGFR were measured by plasma iohexol clearance. Outcomes were a composite criterion of all-cause mortality and/or cardiovascular events, and mGFR slope. Results Of 168 subjects, 146 (87.4%) had undetectable HIV load. Median follow-up was 59.1 months (interquartile range, 56.2–62.1). At baseline, mean age was 49.5 years (± 9.8) and mean mGFR 98.9 mL/min/1.73m2 (± 20.6). Seventeen deaths and 10 cardiovascular events occurred during 5-year follow-up. Baseline mGFR was not associated with mortality/cardiovascular events. In multivariable analysis, cystatin C (hazard ratio [HR], 5.978; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.774–12.88; P < .0001) and urine albumin to creatinine ratio (uACR) at inclusion (HR, 1.002; 95% CI, 1.001–1.004; P < .001) were associated with mortality/cardiovascular events. Area under receiver operating curve of cystatin C was 0.67 (95% CI, .55–.79) for mortality/cardiovascular event prediction. Biomarkers were not associated with GFR slope. Conclusions uACR and cystatin C predict all-cause mortality and/or cardiovascular events in PWH independently of mGFR.