Estimated glomerular filtration rate

The estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) is widely used as a surrogate marker of renal function and is mathematically-derived from the patient's serum creatinine, using their age, sex and ethnicity.

Calculation

The eGFR is calculated using a four variables Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (4-v MDRD) formula:

eGFR (mL/min/1.73m) = 186 (serum creatinine in µmol/L × 0.011312) × (age) × (0.742 if female) × (1.212 if African/American Black)

Prior to the introduction of this formula, eGFR derivation required an accurate body weight, which was a significant impediment to its easy adoption into routine clinical practice.

Glomerular filtration rate

The actual glomerular filtration rate (GFR), as opposed to the estimated GFR, is of course more accurate but is much more laborious to measure, with methods including:

Therefore in routine clinical practice the eGFR is the usual test of renal function.

Limitations

The published literature advises caution in the use of the MDRD calculation in:

Siehe auch: