Evaluating renal function in geriatric patients

January 01, 0001

Evaluating renal function in geriatric patients

The prevalence of chronic kidney disease in geriatric patients has been shown to be dependent on which method of calculating glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is used. These Belgian researchers performed a systematic literature search using PubMed and EMBASE for studies looking at the calculation of GFR Studies using inulin, Cr-51-EDTA, Tc-DTPA or iohexol assays as the gold standard were included.

The researchers found: "twelve articles had an identified population or subpopulation aged 65 years and older. The studies were heterogeneous with regard to the population investigated and the statistical procedures used to compare the methods and equations with the gold standard. The Cockcroft-Gault (CG) and MDRD equations and the serum cystatin C concentration produced the highest correlations with the gold standard."

The researchers concluded: "no accurate method to evaluate renal function in the elderly was found. Serum cystatin C concentration and the CG and MDRD formula might be valuable parameters, although there is insufficient evidence.

Further study is needed to determine which methods of evaluating GFR in geriatric patients are accurate.

For the full abstract, click here.

Age and Ageing 39(5):542-548, September 2010
© The Author 2010
Methods to evaluate renal function in elderly patients: a systematic literature review. Gijs Van Pottelbergh, Lore Van Heden, Catharina Matheï, and Jan Degryse. Correspondence to G. Van Pottelbergh: [email protected]

Category: U. Urinary System. Keywords: chronic kidney disease, geriatric, glomerular filtration rate, Cockcroft-Gault, MDRD, systematic review, journal watch.
Synopsis edited by Dr Paul Schaefer, Toledo, Ohio. Posted on Global Family Doctor 3 December 2010

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