title: The 'breakpoint' test, a new statistical method for studying progression of chronic renal failure.
abstract: The application of a new statistical method ('breakpoint' test) to the study of the progression of chronic renal failure is described. This test establishes whether the best fit of a series of GFR measurements is linear or broken. Such an approach avoids the analytical constraint of the time of intervention assumed by other methods. Re-analysis by this test of previous studies of low-protein diet suggests that in some cases the effect of the dietary regimen has been overemphasized.
authors.affiliation: Centro di Fisiologia Clinica CNR, Reggio Calabria, Italy.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zoccali
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Postorino
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Martorano
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Salnitro
authors.forename: Q
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Maggiore
mesh_terms: D003404:Creatinine / Q000097:blood*; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000097:blood* / Q000178:diet therapy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D004044:Dietary Proteins; D003404:Creatinine