Evaluation of Tumor Marker Serum Carbohydrate Antigen 19-9 Level in Chronic Kidney Disease Patients in Indian Population

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a worldwide health problem, affecting millions of people. Causes of chronic kidney disease include diabetes, high blood pressure, glomerulonephritis, polycystic kidney disease, lupus, and other forms of cardiovascular diseases. Serum Carbohydrate Antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9) is a tumor marker for conditions such as benign ovarian tumors, malignancies of pancreas, colorectum, lung, chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, diseases of bile duct but its level is also high in chronic renal disorder. Our study was aimed to assess and compare the status of serum CA 19-9 level in chronic kidney disease subjects and healthy controls. Materials and Methods: The present study is a case-control study, conducted on 220 CKD patients. Cases were selected from the Medical ward of Jawahar Lal Nehru Medical College and Associated Group of Hospitals, Ajmer. Age and sex-matched healthy controls (n = 100) were selected from MOPD. The present study is approved by Institutional Ethical Committee. All samples were collected under aseptic conditions from the antecubital vein. Results: The mean activity of Serum CA 19-9 was significantly higher in CKD subjects as compared to healthy controls (p < 0.0001). The observations of this study also revealed that 150 out of 220 CKD patients have higher serum CA 19-9 levels (>35 U/mL). Positive pearson correlation between serum creatinine and serum CA 19-9 was found (r= 0.76). Conclusion: Serum CA 19-9 can be used as a biomarker for the early detection of CKD in the general population to prevent the morbidity and mortality which are associated with CKD. If CKD is detected early and managed appropriately the deterioration in kidney functions can be slowed and the risk of cardiovascular diseases in renal patients can be reduced.