Comparison of commonly used creatinine-based GFR estimating formulas in elderly female non-diabetic patients with chronic kidney disease

Abstract

Introduction: Measuring glomerular filtration rate (GFR) with the isotopic method is a gold standard. However, it is an elaborate and expensive procedure, so in everyday practice GFR is estimated with creatinine-based formulas. Despite the number of studies, it remains unclear which GFR estimating equation is the most accurate, especially in increasing elderly population. Aim: The aim of this study was to compare the commonly used formulas to assess which one of them should be used in elderly female non-diabetic patients suffering from chronic kidney disease (CKD) Material and methods: 336 non-diabetic females aged 70 and more were qualified to the study. On the basis of serum creatinine concentration, estimated GFR (eGFR) was estimated using various formulas. Results and discussion: The eGFR and CKD stages differ significantly depending on the used formula. The modification of diet in renal disease equation (MDRD) formula showed slightly, but still significantly, better correlation with creatinine concentration in serum than the CKD epidemiology collaboration equation. The Cockcroft-Gault equation formula was significantly inferior to above mentioned equations. The receiver operating characteristic curves showed that MDRD is the most sensitive equation and the differences between formulas compared in pairs were significant. Conclusions: Due to its highest correlation with creatinine and its highest sensitivity and specificity, the MDRD formula seems to be the most accurate equation to estimate GFR in elderly non-diabetic females.