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    MDRD GFR Equation

    Estimates glomerular filtration rate based on creatinine and patient characteristics.

    IMPORTANT

    This calculator includes inputs based on race, which may or may not provide better estimates, so we have decided to make race optional. See here for more on our approach to addressing race and bias on MDCalc.

    For the same creatinine value, this calculator estimates a higher GFR for Black patients.

    INSTRUCTIONS

    Only for chronic kidney disease (CKD); not accurate for acute renal failure. This calculator uses the 4-variable equation from Levey 2006, which relied on a standardized creatinine assay.

    When to Use
    Pearls/Pitfalls
    Why Use

    Patients with chronic kidney disease, to estimate kidney function.

    • The MDRD equation cannot be used for acute renal failure. It is only useful in estimating glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in stable chronic kidney disease.
    • Despite improvements to the MDRD equation, it tends to significantly underestimate measured GFR.
    • Underestimation of GFR is particularly significant in patients with a GFR >60 ml/min/m2; 29% in healthy patients undergoing evaluation for kidney donation.

    Noninvasively estimates the measured GFR to determine degree or presence of decreased kidney function. The MDRD equation performs equally to the newer CKD-EPI Equation in patients with GFR of <60 ml/min/1.73m2. Performs superiorly to the Cockcroft-Gault Equation.

    Female
    Male
    years
    mg/dL
    No
    Yes

    Result:

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    Next Steps
    Evidence
    Creator Insights
    Dr. Andrew S. Levey

    About the Creator

    Andrew S. Levey, MD, is the chief of the nephrology division at Tufts Medical Center and the Dr. Gerald J. and Dorothy R. Friedman Professor at Tufts University School of Medicine. His clinical interests include chronic kidney disease (CKD), diabetic kidney disease, and systemic lupus erythematosus. Dr. Levey’s research focuses on laboratory measures to estimate kidney function, new therapies, and the development of clinical practice guidelines for CKD.

    To view Dr. Andrew S. Levey's publications, visit PubMed

    Are you Dr. Andrew S. Levey? Send us a message to review your photo and bio, and find out how to submit Creator Insights!
    MDCalc loves calculator creators – researchers who, through intelligent and often complex methods, discover tools that describe scientific facts that can then be applied in practice. These are real scientific discoveries about the nature of the human body, which can be invaluable to physicians taking care of patients.
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    Dr. Andrew S. Levey
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