The MDRD equation for estimating GFR requires serum creatinine alongside which demographic factors?

The MDRD equation for estimating GFR requires serum creatinine alongside which demographic factors?

• A. Age
• B. Sex
• C. Race
• D. All of the above

Answer: (D)

The main idea is that estimating GFR with the MDRD equation uses serum creatinine as the base marker, but also adjusts for differences in creatinine production due to body composition. Age, sex, and race influence muscle mass and thus baseline creatinine generation, so they are included as demographic factors to improve accuracy. In the traditional MDRD form, the equation multiplies creatinine (raised to a power) by a factor for age and by sex and race modifiers (for example, a smaller value for females and a higher factor for Black individuals). An example form is GFR ≈ 175 × (creatinine)^-1.154 × (age)^-0.203 × (0.742 if female) × (1.210 if Black). Because serum creatinine, age, sex, and race are all part of the calculation, you need all of these demographic factors in addition to creatinine. That’s why “All of the above” best fits the question.

The main idea is that estimating GFR with the MDRD equation uses serum creatinine as the base marker, but also adjusts for differences in creatinine production due to body composition. Age, sex, and race influence muscle mass and thus baseline creatinine generation, so they are included as demographic factors to improve accuracy. In the traditional MDRD form, the equation multiplies creatinine (raised to a power) by a factor for age and by sex and race modifiers (for example, a smaller value for females and a higher factor for Black individuals). An example form is GFR ≈ 175 × (creatinine)^-1.154 × (age)^-0.203 × (0.742 if female) × (1.210 if Black). Because serum creatinine, age, sex, and race are all part of the calculation, you need all of these demographic factors in addition to creatinine. That’s why “All of the above” best fits the question.