MDRD Estimated GFR

\[eGFR=186\times SCr^{-1.154}\times Age^{-0.203}\]

Variables

eGFRestimated glomerular filtration rate (mL/min/1.73 m²)

SCrserum creatinine concentration (mg/dL)

Ageage (years)

Description

What is this formula?

The MDRD (Modification of Diet in Renal Disease) equation estimates the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) from serum creatinine and age. It became one of the most widely used methods for assessing kidney function.

When to use it

Use this formula when evaluating chronic kidney disease, monitoring renal function, or estimating kidney filtration capacity in adults.

Example

Data:

SCr = 1.5 mg/dL

Age = 60 years

Formula:

eGFR = 186 × SCr^-1.154 × Age^-0.203

Substitution:

eGFR = 186 × 1.5^-1.154 × 60^-0.203

Result:

eGFR ≈ 48.5 mL/min/1.73 m²

The estimated glomerular filtration rate is approximately 48.5 mL/min/1.73 m².

Applications

- Chronic kidney disease staging

- Renal function assessment

- Nephrology

- Internal medicine

- Clinical laboratory reporting

Note

This is the original simplified MDRD equation. The complete equation includes additional correction factors for sex and race. MDRD is an empirical model developed from patient populations with chronic kidney disease and is generally less accurate at higher levels of kidney function. Many laboratories now preferentially report CKD-EPI estimates because of improved accuracy.