Assessment of serum beta-trace protein (BTP) measurement in the prediction of glomerular filtration rate. Comparison with serum cystatin C.

Serum BTP measurement is sometimes believed to be an alternative marker of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) assessment. The aim of the present work was to investigate the correlation between creatinine, cystatin C, and BTP values in sera and to compare the diagnostic efficacy for serum BTP and cystatin C with the glomerular filtration rate estimate. 25 individuals were tested. GFR was estimated from creatinine clearance, serum cystatin C and BTP and urine alpha-1 microglobulin, albumin, GMT and creatinine were measured. BTP values correlated with cystatin C (r = 0.75; p < 0.01), creatinine (r = 0.73, p < 0.01), GFR (r = -0.46; p = 0.02), urine alpha-1-microglobulin (r = 0.66; p < 0.01). The diagnostic efficacy of BTP for reduced GFR was insufficient and the calculation of GFR with BTP was not included in the regression model.