Research results from A.Z. Lacroix and colleagues update understanding of kidney disease.

In this recent article published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, scientists in the United States conducted a study "To evaluate the association between chronic kidney disease and incident hip fracture using serum cystatin-C as a biomarker of renal function calculated without reference to muscle mass. Case-control study nested within a prospective study."

"The Women's Health Initiative Observational Study conducted at 40 U.S. clinical centers. From 93,676 women aged 50 to 79 followed for an average of 7 years, 397 incident hip fracture cases and 397 matched controls were studied. Cystatin-C levels were measured on baseline serum using a particle-enhanced immunonepholometric assay. Estimated glomerular filtration rates (eGFR(cys-c)) were calculated using a validated equation and categorized into three groups (>= 90.0 mL/min per 1.73 m(2), 60.0-89.9 mL/min per -1.73 m(2), and

The researchers concluded: "Effects of renal function on homocysteine levels may partially mediate, or accompany, this association."

Lacroix and colleagues published their study in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society (Cystatin-C, renal function, and incidence of hip fracture in postmenopausal women. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 2008;56(8):1434-1441).

Additional information can be obtained by contacting A.Z. Lacroix, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Division Public Health Science, 1100 Fairview ...