GFR Estimation Using a Panel of Filtration Markers in Shanghai and Beijing

Abstract

Rationale & ObjectivesEstimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) using creatinine and cystatin C (eGFRcr-cys) may be less accurate compared to measured GFR (mGFR) in China than in North America, Europe, and Australia due to variation across regions in their non-GFR determinants. The non-GFR determinants of β2-microglobulin (B2M) and β-trace protein (BTP) differ from those of creatinine and cystatin C. Thus, the average eGFR using all 4 markers (eGFRavg) could be more accurate than eGFRcr-cys in China.Study DesignDiagnostic test study.Setting & Participants1,066 participants in Shanghai and Beijing with creatinine and cystatin C and 666 participants with all 4 filtration markers.Tests ComparedIndex tests were previously developed equations for eGFR using creatinine, cystatin C, B2M, and BTP and combinations. The reference test was mGFR using plasma clearance of iohexol. We compared the performance of eGFRavg to eGFRcr-cys using the proportion of participants with errors in eGFR >30% of mGFR (1 − P30) and root mean square error (RMSE) of the regression of eGFR on mGFR on the logarithmic scale. We also compared classification and reclassification of mGFR categories using eGFRavg compared to eGFRcr-cys.OutcomesAccuracy was significantly better for eGFRavg (1 − P30 of 10.4% and RMSE of 0.214) compared to eGFRcr-cys (1 − P30 of 13.8% and RMSE of 0.232; P = 0.004 and P = 0.006, respectively). However, improvements in accuracy did not generally translate into significant improvement in classification or reclassification of mGFR categories.LimitationsStudy population may not be generalizable to clinical settings other than large urban medical centers in China.ConclusionsA panel of endogenous filtration markers including B2M and BTP in addition to creatinine and cystatin C may improve GFR estimation in China. Further study is necessary to determine whether GFR estimation using B2M and BTP can be improved and whether these improvements lead to useful clinical applications.