• Amy Earley, Dana Miskulin, Edmund J Lamb, Andrew S Levey, and Katrin Uhlig.
• Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA 02111, USA.
• Ann. Intern. Med. 2012 Jun 5; 156 (11): 785795785-95.

BackgroundClinical laboratories are increasingly reporting estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) by using serum creatinine assays traceable to a standard reference material.PurposeTo review the performance of GFR estimating equations to inform the selection of a single equation by laboratories and the interpretation of estimated GFR by clinicians.Data SourcesA systematic search of MEDLINE, without language restriction, between 1999 and 21 October 2011.Study SelectionCross-sectional studies in adults that compared the performance of 2 or more creatinine-based GFR estimating equations with a reference GFR measurement. Eligible equations were derived or reexpressed and validated by using creatinine measurements traceable to the standard reference material.Data ExtractionReviewers extracted data on study population characteristics, measured GFR, creatinine assay, and equation performance.Data SynthesisEligible studies compared the MDRD (Modification of Diet in Renal Disease) Study and CKD-EPI (Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration) equations or modifications thereof. In 12 studies in North America, Europe, and Australia, the CKD-EPI equation performed better at higher GFRs (approximately >60 mL/min per 1.73 m(2)) and the MDRD Study equation performed better at lower GFRs. In 5 of 8 studies in Asia and Africa, the equations were modified to improve their performance by adding a coefficient derived in the local population or removing a coefficient.LimitationMethods of GFR measurement and study populations were heterogeneous.ConclusionNeither the CKD-EPI nor the MDRD Study equation is optimal for all populations and GFR ranges. Using a single equation for reporting requires a tradeoff to optimize performance at either higher or lower GFR ranges. A general practice and public health perspective favors the CKD-EPI equation.Primary Funding SourceKidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes.

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