Symmetry Dimethylarginine Assay Use in Diagnosis of Kidney Disease in Dogs and Cats: a Literature Review of Case Reports in Indonesia

Abstract

Symmetry Dimethylarginine Assay (SDMA) is an important biomarker for early diagnosis of kidney disease. Studies suggest that SDMA is a more sensitive indicator of kidney function compared to traditional markers such as blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine. Since 2014, SDMA use has been reported in the veterinary field. The International Renal Interest Society (IRIS) has even established SDMA as one of the indicators for determining the stage of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in dogs and cats. Empirically, evaluation of SDMA in veterinary clinics in Indonesia has become more common. The aim of this study was to perform a literature review on the use of SDMA in the diagnosis of kidney disease in dogs and cats in Indonesia, based on case report publications. We performed a literature search in the Garuda portal and Google Scholar using the following keywords: SDMA, dogs, cats. The search strategy utilized English and Bahasa Indonesia, and the results were screened for relevance to the topic, and limited to publication by Indonesian authors. Three scientific articles in national journals reported the use of SDMA in case studies of kidney disease in dogs or cats in Indonesia, published in 2021-2023. As the use of SDMA will likely increase in practice settings in the country, it is critical to have a proper understanding of the advantages and limitations of SDMA use for kidney disease diagnosis. Further studies are needed regarding the suitability of SDMA as a marker for monitoring CKD and determining prognosis.