A discrepancy between two common blood tests used to assess kidney function may indicate a significantly increased risk of kidney failure, heart disease, and even death, according to a recent global study conducted by researchers at NYU Langone Health and NYU Grossman School of Medicine. The study, published January 21, 2026, suggests that when creatinine and cystatin C levels, both markers for kidney health, produce conflicting results, it could be an early warning sign of serious health problems.
For years, medical professionals have primarily used creatinine levels to estimate kidney filtration rates. However, the study highlights that relying solely on creatinine may overlook crucial early warning signs, particularly in hospitalized and older patients, where discrepancies between the two tests are more prevalent.
"This study underscores the importance of considering multiple markers when assessing kidney health," said Dr. Sarah Chen, lead author of the study and professor of nephrology at NYU Grossman School of Medicine. "A divergence between creatinine and cystatin C levels shouldn't be ignored; it warrants further investigation."
The research involved a large-scale analysis of patient data from multiple international cohorts. Researchers found that individuals with a significant mismatch between their creatinine and cystatin C results had a substantially higher risk of developing kidney failure, experiencing cardiovascular events, and facing increased mortality rates compared to those with consistent results.
The implications of this finding are significant for both clinical practice and the development of AI-driven diagnostic tools. Currently, machine learning algorithms are being developed to analyze patient data and identify subtle patterns that might indicate early kidney dysfunction. These algorithms often rely on a limited set of biomarkers, potentially overlooking the significance of discrepancies between different tests.
"AI has the potential to revolutionize diagnostics, but it's crucial that these systems are trained on comprehensive datasets and are designed to recognize the nuances of individual patient profiles," explained Dr. David Lee, a data scientist involved in the study. "Ignoring the mismatch between creatinine and cystatin C could lead to inaccurate risk assessments and delayed interventions."
The study also raises questions about the standardization of kidney function testing. While both creatinine and cystatin C are widely used, variations in laboratory methods and reference ranges can contribute to inconsistencies in results. Efforts are underway to harmonize testing procedures and establish universal standards to improve the accuracy and reliability of kidney function assessments.
Looking ahead, researchers plan to investigate the underlying mechanisms that contribute to the mismatch between creatinine and cystatin C. Understanding why these two markers diverge could lead to the development of more targeted interventions to prevent kidney failure and improve patient outcomes. The team is also working on developing AI-powered tools that can automatically detect and interpret discrepancies between the two tests, providing clinicians with timely alerts and decision support.
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