Association between cystatin c and the interaction of pulmonary tuberculosis with chronic diseases

Purpose: To determine the association between Cystatin C (Cys C) levels and the interaction of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) with chronic diseases (CD). Methods: Participants (n = 356) were selected randomly from The First Affiliated Hospital of Wannan Medical College, China, and divided into 4 groups: normal control group (n = 80), PTB group (n = 98), chronic disease group (n = 146), and PTB combined with chronic disease group (PTB+CD, n = 31). The investigation included information on demographics and analysis of blood samples for Cys C, liver function, renal function, blood glucose and other biochemical indices. Results: The highest level of Cys C was obtained in PTB + CD group. Before and after adjusting eGFR, there was no association between Cys C and PTB or/and chronic disease. However abnormal levels of Cys C were significantly higher in PTB+CD group after adjusting eGFR (OR = 4.014, p = 0.0125). Conclusion: Higher levels of Cys C may be associated with chronic diseases co-existing with PTB.