Introduction: The risk for cardiovascular disease is increased in all stages of the impairment of renal function. It is proposed that serum creatinine is a marker of diabetes and coronary artery disease (CAD) as well as the kidney function.
Aim: to study the association of serum creatinine with the likelihood and severity of CAD. The study population consisted of 262 males and 266 females who were classified as CAD cases and controls according to the results of coronary angiography.
Results: Patients with CAD compared with the controls had increased levels of serum urea and creatinine. Serum creatinine showed significant positive correlation with male sex, hypertension and negative correlation with total- and HDL-cholesterol and apoAI. Serum urea, uric acid and potassium were the major determinants of creatinine. All hematological parameters were strong negative correlates of creatinine. None of markers of inflammation had significant correlation with creatinine. Creatinine was associated significantly with the prevalence [odds ratio of 1.79 (1.47-2.20), p<0.001] and severity of CAD [F(3,528)= 3.0, p=0.03]. Serum creatinine was excluded from the regression equation after adjustment for major risk factors.
Conclusion: Serum creatinine has significant association with CAD, but the correlation is not independent. Creatinine have significant association with markers of kidney function and body water status, but not with markers of inflammation and insulin function.
Keywords: Coronary artery; Creatinine; Kidney; Lipid.