title: [Renal function estimation by MDRD equation: interest and limitations for drug dosing].
abstract: The MDRD (Modification of diet in renal disease) equation enables glomerular filtration rate (GFR) estimation from serum creatinine only. Thus, the laboratory can report an estimated GFR (eGFR) with each serum creatinine assessment, increasing therefore the recognition of renal failure. Predictive performance of MDRD equation is better for GFR < 60 ml/min/1,73 m2. A normal or near-normal renal function is often underestimated by this equation. Overall, MDRD provides more reliable estimations of renal function than the Cockcroft-Gault (C-G) formula, but both lack precision. MDRD is not superior to C-G for drug dosing. Being adjusted to 1,73 m2, MDRD eGFR has to be back adjusted to the patient's body surface area for drug dosing. Besides, C-G has the advantage of a greater simplicity and a longer use.
authors.affiliation: Division de pharmacologie et toxicologie cliniques, CHUV, 1011 Lausanne. francoise.livio@chuv.ch
authors.forename: Françoise
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Livio
authors.forename: Jérôme
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Biollaz
authors.forename: Michel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Burnier
mesh_terms: D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004358:Drug Therapy / Q000379:methods; D005919:Glomerular Filtration Rate; D006801:Humans; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*