AIM  To analyze the relationship between cystatin C and left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in patients with polymyositis (PM) and/or dermatomyositis (DM), and to evaluate its clinical value.

  METHODS  One hundred and twenty-six patients with PM and/or DM were included. The serum cystatin C level was measured by immunoturbidimetry. The left heart function was evaluated by color Doppler echocardiography. The relationship. between cystatin C and left heart function was analyzed by logistic regression. And ROC curve was used to evaluate the diagnostic value of cystatin C for left ventricular dysfunction.

  RESULTS  Compared with those with normal left ventricular diastolic function in PM and/or DM, those with left ventricular diastolic dysfunction were older, cystatin C level was higher (P<0.01), and the positive rate of anti Jo-1 antibody was lower (P<0.01). Logistic regression further shows that cystatin C is closely related to left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (P<0.05). ROC curve showed that the area under the curve of cystatin C was 0.703, the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of diagnosis of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in PM and/or DM were 67%, 68% and 67%, respectively.

  CONCLUSION  Cystatin C is associated with left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in PM and/or DM patients. The higher the level of cystatin C, the greater the possibility of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction, which has certain diagnostic value