CHEMPATH: Assessment of renal function Flashcards
What, by consensus, is the best measure of kidney function?
A. Serum creatinine itself
B. Serum creatinine and urea
C. Urine protein:creatinine ratio
D. Glomerular filtration rate
E. Cystatin C
D. Glomerular filtration rate
What is the normal GFR?
120ml/min normal (7.2L/hour)
How does the GFR change with age?
Decreases - greater decrease in males than females
Define clearance. What 3 characteristics must a marker have for its clearance to be used to estimate GFR?
Clearance = the volume of plasma that can be completely cleared of a marker substance in unit time
The marker used for clearance must be:
- not bound to serum proteins
- freely filtered at glomerulus
- not secreted/reabsorbed by tubular cells
Then a marker’s clearance = GFR
What is the equation for clearance?
C = (U x V)/P
- C = clearance of X
- U = urinary concentration of X
- V = urinary flow rate
- P = plasma concentration of X
What is the ‘perfect marker’ for clearance for GFR measurement? Why is it not used clinically?
Gold-standard = inulin (a fructose polymer, neutral charge, freely filtered and not processed by tubules)
BUT
- Steady state infusion is required
- Measurement is not simple
- So research tool only
Name 3 single-injection substances which can be used clinically to assess clearance.
- 51 Cr EDTA
- 99 Tc DTPA
- Iohexol
What is direct vs indirect clearance?
Direct - when clearance is calculated from urine collection
Indirect - when clearance is calculated from plasma regression curve
What are the pros and cons of urea being measured as a marker of GFR?
Urea was the first endogenous marker of EGFR - a by product of protein metabolism
Pros:
- Freely filtered
Cons:
- ~30-60% reabsorption by tubular cells
- depends on nutritional state, hepatic function, GI bleeding
Overall, limited clinical value.
Which factor(s) limit(s) the use of serum creatinine as a marker of GFR?
A. It is influenced by intake of fat
B. It is lower in the black population
C. It is related to muscle mass
D. It is reabsorbed by the renal tubules
E. All of the above
C. It is related to muscle mass
Where is urea vs creatinine derived from ?
Urea - protein metabolism
Creatinine - muscle cells (small amount from intestinal absorption)
What 4 factors is generation of creatinine affected by?
- Muscularity
- Age
- Sex
- Ethnicity
Does creatinine fulfil the criteria for a perfect marker to be used for GFR?
It is freely filtered BUT secreted into urine by tubular cells
Plasma creatinine concentration is inversely related to the GFR. A fall in GFR will produce a rise the the plasma creatinine concentration but GFR can decrease by a half before plasma creatinine concentration rises beyond reference range.
What is the Cockcroft Gault equation used to estimate?
Creatinine clearance (not GFR)
eCCr = (1.23 x (140 age) x weight) / serum creatinine
Adjust by 0.85 if female
Is the Cockcroft Gault equation likely to under- or over-estimate GFR?
May overestimate GFR, especially when <30ml/min