Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To explore the changes in serum Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and Osteopontin (OPN) in gout patients and their diagnostic value for early renal injury. METHODS: In this research, 174 gout patients (January 2022-October 2024) were divided into the early renal injury group (50 cases) and non-early renal injury group (124 cases). Additionally, 169 healthy individuals were included as controls. Clinical indicators such as serum creatinine, cystatin C (CysC), and GFR were recorded. MCP-1 and OPN levels were measured using ELISA. Pearson's correlation was used to analyze relationships; Logit regression was applied to identify influencing factors, and ROC curves assessed diagnostic value, with AUC comparisons via Z-test. RESULTS: Serum MCP-1 and OPN levels were significantly higher in the gout group compared to controls (P<0.05) and further elevated in the early renal injury group (P<0.05). MCP-1 and OPN correlated positively with creatinine and CysC and negatively with GFR (P<0.05). Logit regression identified MCP-1 (OR: 2.765, 95% CI: 1.308-5.846) and OPN (OR: 3.019, 95% CI: 1.468-6.210) as independent risk factors (P<0.05). The AUC for diagnosing early renal injury was 0.775 (MCP-1), 0.827 (OPN), and 0.938 (combined), with the combination significantly outperforming either marker alone (Z=3.075, 2.273, P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The combination of serum MCP-1 and OPN in gout patients has a higher diagnostic value for early renal injury, it is obviously higher than the individual diagnosis of each indicator, and demonstrates significant clinical implications.