Kidney Disease Research Updates
Winter 2009

Research News

Larger Labs Report Kidney Function Routinely

Laboratories that conduct the highest number of routine blood tests are more likely than others to report estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), an important measure of kidney function that can identify early kidney disease, according to a survey by the National Kidney Disease Education Program (NKDEP), part of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). Results of the survey were reported in the October issue of the American Journal of Kidney Diseases.

The survey found that more than 86 percent of the highest-volume independent labs—those in the top 5 percent—and more than 55 percent of all labs in the top quarter of high-volume labs report eGFR when the measurement of serum creatinine is ordered. In contrast, only 24 percent of low-volume labs—those in the bottom quarter—report eGFR. The survey shows room for improvement in making eGFR readily available to primary care providers who could be treating early chronic kidney disease (CKD)—primarily caused by diabetes and high blood pressure—and possibly reducing their patients’ risk for kidney failure.

“We are encouraged to find that many labs are routinely reporting eGFR, allowing earlier diagnosis and treatment of kidney disease,” said former NIH Director Elias A. Zerhouni, M.D. “But the survey illustrates the need to continue NIH efforts to promote automatic reporting of eGFR by all labs so that more people can benefit from earlier diagnosis.”

While eGFR reporting is high among high-volume labs, reporting is relatively low—38 percent overall. Reporting by labs in physicians’ offices and low-volume independent labs is particularly low, at 26 and 39 percent, respectively. On the positive side, the survey found that about 67 percent of labs that report eGFR do so routinely, without providers needing to ask for the result.

Positive Sign

“Estimated GFR is an important measure of kidney function that can be easily calculated using serum creatinine and a patient’s age, gender, and ethnicity,” said Andrew S. Narva, M.D., F.A.C.P., director of the NKDEP. “It’s a good sign that the highest-volume labs are commonly reporting eGFR. We hope that lower-volume labs will follow their lead, as increased reporting may result in earlier identification and treatment of chronic kidney disease.”

Serum creatinine is a waste product in the blood created by the normal breakdown of muscle cells during activity. To learn more about guidelines for estimating and reporting GFR and its importance in detecting and treating CKD, visit the NKDEP website at www.nkdep.nih.gov.

NIH Publication No. 09–4531
March 2009

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