Measuring and Assessing Kidney Function

Semin Nephrol. 2016 Jul;36(4):262-72. doi: 10.1016/j.semnephrol.2016.05.003.

Abstract

Assessment of kidney function is important for the detection and management of chronic kidney disease. The glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and level of albuminuria are two frequently used indices of kidney function assessment. Administration of an exogenous filtration marker to measure GFR and collection of urine for 24 hours to measure albumin excretion generally are considered the gold standard for GFR and albuminuria, respectively, but they are time consuming and onerous for the patient. Thus, in routine clinical practice, other methods are used more frequently to assess GFR and albuminuria. In this review, we discuss the role of GFR and albuminuria in staging of chronic kidney disease as well as the pros and cons and prognostic implications of various methods of assessment of GFR and albuminuria.

Keywords: Kidney function assessment; albuminuria; glomerular filtration rate.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Albuminuria / diagnosis*
  • Albuminuria / metabolism
  • Chelating Agents
  • Contrast Media
  • Creatinine / metabolism*
  • Cystatin C / metabolism*
  • Edetic Acid
  • Glomerular Filtration Rate*
  • Humans
  • Intramolecular Oxidoreductases / metabolism
  • Inulin
  • Iohexol
  • Iothalamic Acid
  • Kidney Function Tests
  • Lipocalins / metabolism
  • Pentetic Acid
  • Renal Insufficiency, Chronic / diagnosis*
  • Renal Insufficiency, Chronic / metabolism
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • beta 2-Microglobulin / metabolism

Substances

  • Chelating Agents
  • Contrast Media
  • Cystatin C
  • Lipocalins
  • beta 2-Microglobulin
  • Iothalamic Acid
  • Iohexol
  • Pentetic Acid
  • Inulin
  • Edetic Acid
  • Creatinine
  • Intramolecular Oxidoreductases
  • prostaglandin R2 D-isomerase