GRAND ROUNDS PRESENTATION

"The National Kidney Education Program: Calculation of GFR from Serum Creatinine "
 

The National Kidney Disease Education Program (NKDEP) is sponsored by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health.  The program promotes public awareness and professional guidelines for early detection and treatment to prevent or slow the progression of kidney disease.  The Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) clinical trial developed a four parameter equation which provided an estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) from serum creatinine which had 90% accuracy compared to a measured GFR.  In order to optimally use the MDRD equation, the accuracy and variability of laboratory measurement of creatinine must be improved.  The Laboratory Working Group is developing a program to assist manufacturers in standardizing creatinine measurements.  It is recommended that laboratories report an estimated GFR along with a creatinine result to assist physicians in correct interpretation of serum creatinine.  The MDRD equation and recommendations for laboratory reporting can be found at www.nkdep.nih.gov/healthprofessionals/index.htm.