Glomerular filtration rate equations: a comprehensive review

Int Urol Nephrol. 2016 Jul;48(7):1105-10. doi: 10.1007/s11255-016-1276-1. Epub 2016 Apr 6.

Abstract

Since evaluation of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is very important in daily medical care, and reliable methods for measuring GFR are too complicated, there has been along decades an enormous effort for developing accurate GFR equations. In the present review article, we performed a comprehensive analysis of the mainly described GFR equations, and we concluded that although MDRD, CKD-EPI, DRA and Gregori-Macías equations are valid to monitor renal function as well as to stage and follow up renal patients, the clinical nephrological evaluation still remains the best alternative for diagnosing renal health and disease.

Keywords: Chronic kidney disease; Equation; Glomerular filtration rate.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Female
  • Glomerular Filtration Rate / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Models, Theoretical*
  • Renal Insufficiency, Chronic / diagnosis*
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Severity of Illness Index