Vol. 7, Issue 3, Part E (2024)

Background: It has been noted that CKD patients have significantly higher levels of the human epididymis protein 4 (HE4) and beta-2 microglobulin (B2M). Aim of the study: This study aims to determine whether serum HE4 and β2-MG are hold promise as a potential biomarker for chronic kidney disease (CKD) among female patients, this study will provide a new clue for CKD diagnosis.

Method: The kidney transplant centre at Al-Sadr Teaching Hospital conducted a case-controlled research from 17 April 2022 to 4 June 2023. The study comprised 50 chronic renal disease patients and 40 healthy people. The University of Basrah College of Medicine ethical committee approved this study. After the interview, suitable patients were transferred to the kidney transplant centre laboratory in Al-Sadr Teaching Hospital and a private laboratory to assess HE4, B2M, S.cr, and B.Urea in whole blood.

Results: In this study comparing chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients and controls, median ages were 66 and 58, respectively (P=0.127). Significant differences were seen in HE4 and β2 microglobulin (β2m) levels, with patients exhibiting substantially higher medians of 16.78 pmol/l for HE4 and 2.02 mg/dl for β2m compared to the control group (P=0.0001). The patient group had significantly higher medians for blood urea, serum creatinine, and GFR compared to the control group: 94.67 mg/dl for blood urea, 3.13 mg/dl for serum creatinine, and 16 ml/min/1.73m2 for GFR (p<0.0001). Age did not significantly differ between CKD stages (P=0.837), and HE4 and β2m levels did not change either.

Conclusion: In conclusion, HE4 and B2M have a significantly close relationship with CKD. Therefore, providing a possibility for the diagnosis and intervention of CKD.