Skip navigation
National Kidney Disease Education Program National Kidney Disease Education Program National Kidney Disease Education Program National Kidney Disease Education Program National Kidney Disease Education Program National Kidney Disease Education Program
   
Información en Español
NKDEP Home
 
 
Patients & Public
Health Professionals
Laboratory Professionals
Estimating and Reporting GFR
Creatinine Standardization
Urine Albumin Standardization
Publications and Presentations
Resources
News & Events
About NKDEP

  
Home > Laboratory Professionals > Estimating and Reporting GFR
Laboratory Professionals

Estimating and Reporting GFR

Estimated GFR

Estimated GFR (eGFR) is the preferred method for identifying people with chronic kidney disease (CKD). eGFR calculated using the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) Study equation provides a more clinically useful measure of kidney function than serum creatinine alone. This equation takes into account several factors that impact creatinine production, including age, gender, and race. Read more about using the correct MDRD Study equation, reducing rounding errors, and when not to use creatinine-based equations to estimate GFR.

Reporting GFR

NKDEP supports routine reporting of eGFR with all serum creatinine determinations for patients 18 and older, when appropriate and feasible. Serum creatinine is measured frequently, so routine reporting of eGFR can help facilitate early detection of CKD. Where possible, laboratories should program their information systems to use the MDRD Study equation to calculate and automatically report eGFR. Read more about common problems in reporting and how to report values over 60 mL/min/1.73m2. Also view sample reports.

Equations and Calculators

NKDEP provides eGFR calculators and their equations. Laboratories that do not report eGFR with serum creatinine can direct providers to NKDEP's online and PDA downloadable calculators, enabling them to estimate eGFR on their own. Providers will need to enter the patient's serum creatinine result, age, gender, and race.

eGFR Reporting Study

In 2007, NKDEP completed a study to determine a national estimate for the prevalence of eGFR reporting among clinical laboratories in the United States and its territories.

For updates from NKDEP on reporting and estimating eGFR, subscribe to the Laboratory Professionals eUpdate.


Back to Top

Site Map | Disclaimer | Privacy | Accessibility | Contact Us

Last Reviewed: July 18, 2008

NKDEP is an initiative of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK),
National Institutes of Health (NIH), U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS).

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services logo National Institutes of Health logo NIDDK Logo USA.gov logo