About GFR Formulas

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In 1994, the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) Study Group wrote an equation to estimate GFR (eGFR).  The equation was based on data from 1,628 people with chronic kidney disease.  It used age, sex, race, creatinine, urea (a waste product), and albumin (protein).

In 2000, the formula was changed to have just age, sex, race, and creatinine.  The new version is used in guidelines for the care of kidney patients, and by the National Kidney Disease Education Program (NKDEP).  Online calculators help make it easy to find out an eGFR.  Labs that test blood for creatinine may report an eGFR, too.