The estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) is a parameter derived from the serum creatinine, patient age and gender and is used to ascertain renal function. It is subject to variation because of the analytical error of the creatinine measurement and biological variation. The widespread use of the eGFR to classify renal disease has led to the identification of more patients with marginal chronic kidney disease but because of the uncertainty of the eGFR it has also led to over-diagnosis of some kidney disease. There is a well described age relation with eGFR.The uncertainty of the eGFR at the critical decision level of 60 mL/min/1.73 m(2) is calculated to be 11. Caution needs to be exercised when interpreting an eGFR between 49 and 71 mL/min/1.73 m(2).
Keywords: Analytical variation; Biological variation; Chronic renal failure; Uncertainty; eGFR.