MDRD Equation:
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The MDRD (Modification of Diet in Renal Disease) equation estimates glomerular filtration rate (GFR) from serum creatinine, age, sex, and race. It was developed to provide a more accurate assessment of kidney function in patients with chronic kidney disease.
The calculator uses the MDRD equation:
Where:
Explanation: The equation uses serum creatinine, age, gender, and race to estimate kidney function, with different coefficients for different demographic groups.
Details: Accurate GFR estimation is crucial for diagnosing chronic kidney disease, determining disease stage, monitoring disease progression, and guiding medication dosing decisions.
Tips: Enter serum creatinine in mg/dL, age in years, select gender and race. All values must be valid (creatinine > 0, age between 1-120 years).
Q1: What is the difference between MDRD and CKD-EPI equations?
A: MDRD is more accurate in patients with established kidney disease, while CKD-EPI performs better at higher GFR levels and is less likely to misclassify individuals with normal or mildly reduced kidney function.
Q2: What are the limitations of the MDRD equation?
A: The equation may be less accurate in elderly patients, pregnant women, individuals with extremes of body size, and those with rapidly changing kidney function.
Q3: When was the MDRD equation developed?
A: The MDRD equation was developed in 1999 and has been widely used for estimating GFR in clinical practice.
Q4: Is the MDRD equation validated for all populations?
A: While widely used, the equation may require validation or adjustment for specific ethnic groups or populations not represented in the original study cohort.
Q5: Can MDRD be used for drug dosing?
A: For precise drug dosing, especially with narrow therapeutic windows, measured GFR may be preferred over estimated GFR in certain clinical situations.