CIN '2007 - 4th CONGRESS OF NEPHROLOGY IN INTERNET
Estimation of glomerular filtration rate by creatinine-based equations
Dr Giovambattista Virga
Nephrology and Dialysis Unit, Camposampiero, Padova
Abstract
Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is traditionally considered the best overall index of kidney function. Estimating GFR from serum creatinine (sCr) is a practical way to detect, assess and manage people with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The National Kidney Foundation - Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative (NKF-K/DOQI) recommends that patients with CKD or renal transplants should be classified in stages based on their GFR [1]. GFR is estimated from sCr measurements to assess kidney function and the Cockcroft-Gault (C-G) and abbreviated MDRD (aMDRD) formulas are recommended for this purpose in the K/DOQI guidelines [1]. Given its importance in clinical decisions (e.g. in considering living kidney donors, diagnosing initial kidney failure, establishing the dosage of pharmacological treatment, or prescribing dialysis) and in evaluating the effects of treatment, the accurate assessment of kidney function is crucial to nephrologists.Comments: