A review of eGFR reporting after 6 months in practice.
BACKGROUND
Following the introduction of routine calculation of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) from all serum creatinine values in samples received from general practice it was noted that there was a preponderance of values consistent with chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage 3 or higher.


METHODS
A review was conducted of all eGFR values from 51 314 individuals received from primary care during October 2006 to April 2007.


RESULTS
It was found that more than 25% of eGFR results indicated CKD stage 3 or higher. The median age in this group was 64 years (range 18-104 years) while that of the local general population according to the 2001 census was 40 years (range 18-104 years); these ages were statistically significantly different (p<0.001). There was no difference between the groups with regard to gender. The eGFR data were therefore corrected for age distribution, and an estimated prevalence of 5.6% of eGFR consistent with CKD stage 3 was found. This was a higher proportion than estimates of CKD suggested before the introduction of eGFR.


CONCLUSIONS
The higher proportion of CKD stage 3 may be due to difference in age and gender in populations studied, as there is a marked effect of age on calculated eGFR values found.
Kremmyda
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Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Arrowe Park Hospital, Upton, UK.
Neithercut
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WD