K/DOQI Guidelines

GFR: The best measure of kidney function in health and disease²

The NKDEP,* NKF, and ASN^† all recommend estimating GFR from serum creatinine using the abbreviated MDRD^‡ study equation^§1,2

GFR (mL/min/1.73 m²) = 186 x (S_Cr)^-1.154 x (age)^-0.203 x (0.742 if female) x (1.210 if African American)

Estimating GFR utilizing the MDRD study equation recognizes important variables that more accurately place your patients in the proper stage of CKD ²

• It adjusts for patient's age, sex, and race
• For most adult renal patients, it's more accurate and convenient than 24-hour creatinine clearance ^1,2
• The results in MDRD can be affected by extremes in age, body weight, and muscle mass and should be confirmed by other methods^{|| 1,2}

National Kidney Foundation (NKF) guidelines recommend testing and treatment of PTH when GFR <60 mL/min/1.73 m² (CKD stage 3)¹

• Measure PTH based upon GFR levels
• National Kidney Foundation recommends PTH testing and treatment when GFR <60 mL/min/1.73 m² (CKD stage 3)¹

* National Kidney Disease Education Program, a division of the National Institute of Diabetes and Diseases of the Kidney.
† American Society of Nephrology.
‡ Modification of Diet in Renal Disease.
§ For people with kidney disease.
|| Has not been tested in pediatric patients and patients over 70.

References

1. National Kidney Foundation. Kidney Learning System. New York, NY: National Kidney Foundation; 2003.
2. Levey AS, Coresh J, Balk E, et al. National Kidney Foundation practice guidelines for chronic kidney disease: evaluation, classification, and stratification. Ann Intern Med. 2003;139:137-147.