Full Length Research Paper
Richard Solomon
Abstract
Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is the most widely used metric of kidney function. The search for an ideal marker of glomerular filtration was ultimately resolved by Homer Smith and his colleagues with the introduction of inulin (1). To understand the inherent inaccuracies in the GFR estimating equations. To be able to identify when misclassification of a patient’s stage of CKD could influence therapeutic and diagnostic decisions. To be able to identify non-steady state conditions and use novel diagnostic measures to identify early changes in GFR. Estimating equations lack precision Increase in misclassification May not apply to all populations, ethnic groups, age ranges, etc. Only valid for the populations used in deriving the equations Need multiple equations Can’t be used in the non-steady state (acute kidney injury) Short comings of an estimated GFR?