Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is one of the main indicators used by doctors to assess kidney function. Use our complete Calculator now to estimate the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) using the MDRD GFR and MDRD GFR 2 formulas.
The GFR is the amount of blood that is filtered by the renal glomeruli each minute. A reduced GFR can indicate kidney disease or other medical conditions. Kidney function is an important indicator of kidney health and the body's ability to filter metabolic waste.
There are several formulas available, two of the most used being MDRD GFR and MDRD GFR 2. It is important to note that these formulas are only estimates and do not replace a complete medical evaluation.
See how these two ways are calculated:
- MDRD GFR: It is a formula that estimates the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) from the serum creatinine, age, gender and race of the patient. It is recommended by the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) for assessing kidney function in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD).
- MDRD GFR 2: It is an updated MDRD GFR formula, which uses the same variables as the original formula, but with a new set of coefficients. The MDRD GFR 2 was developed to improve the accuracy in estimating the GFR in patients with a GFR >60 mL/min/1.73 m².
Summary
MDRD GFR Calculator
To use the calculator, follow the steps below:
- Select the patient's serum creatinine from the drop-down list. Options range from 0.4 to 2.0 mg/dL.
- Enter the patient's age in years.
- Select the patient's gender from the drop-down list.
- Select the patient's race from the drop-down list.
- Click the “Calculate MDRD GFR” or “Calculate MDRD GFR 2” button to get the eGFR estimate.
- The result of the eGFR estimation will appear in the text box below the button.
It is worth mentioning that the values of serum creatinine and plasma creatinine are usually very close and, therefore, do not make a significant difference in the calculations of the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) using the MDRD GFR or MDRD GFR 2 formulas.
The MDRD GFR and MDRD GFR 2 Calculator uses medical formulas to estimate the patient's glomerular filtration rate. The MDRD GFR formula is as follows:
GFR = 175 x (Cr)^-1.154 x (Age)^-0.203 x (0.
Interpreting the GFR Results
The results obtained from the MDRD GFR and MDRD GFR 2 calculator provide an estimate of the patient's glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). This estimate is expressed in mL/min/1.73m² and represents the amount of blood that is filtered by the renal glomeruli each minute.
The eGFR value may vary according to the patient's age, sex and race, in addition to the serum creatinine level. In general, the higher the eGFR value, the better the patient's renal function. The table below shows the eGFR values and their classifications according to the stage of chronic kidney disease:
| eGFR (mL/min/1.73m²) | Stage of chronic kidney disease |
|---|---|
| >= 90 | Stage 1 |
| 60-89 | Stage 2 |
| 45-59 | Stage 3a |
| 30-44 | Stage 3b |
| 15-29 | Stage 4 |
| < 15 | Stage 5 (kidney failure) |
It is worth noting that the eGFR is only an estimate of the glomerular filtration rate and is not an exact measurement. In addition, other factors can affect kidney function, such as medication intake, the presence of chronic diseases and the patient's lifestyle. Therefore, it is important to consult a doctor to assess the patient's kidney function and general health.
