Early identification of individuals with chronic kidney disease (CKD) can delay the onset of end stage renal disease (ESRD) and the need for chronic dialysis treatments. The incidence of CKD continues to grow, and early identification and intervention are critical to manage this costly disease.
Reporting of a patient's estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) is widely accepted as a more accurate indicator of kidney function than a serum creatinine test alone. The calculation of eGFR factors-in a patient's age, height, weight, and gender, along with the results from a serum creatinine test. The creatinine test itself measures how well the patient's kidneys process a waste product released by muscles when they burn energy. The eGFR calculation provides a more complete picture of how well the patient's kidneys are performing.
A number of subspecialty societies and organizations have emphasized that automatic eGFR reporting is the most desirable method of identification of patients with CKD. In fact, it has been asserted that the only reason to measure serum creatinine is to assess eGFR. At present, at least six states mandate that clinical laboratories in their state report eGFR when creatinine is ordered (Louisiana, Michigan, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Tennessee) and several additional states have similar legislation pending. Although there is some opposition to legislative mandates of clinical practice, the early detection of CKD is important enough that states are likely to continue to require clinical laboratories to provide this information in the absence of general agreement by laboratories to provide this calculation on a voluntary basis.
In May, the American Clinical Laboratory Association (ACLA), which represents approximately 70% of independent laboratory services throughout the U.S., made a recommendation to its members that they voluntarily calculate an eGFR and report this additional information when doctors order a serum creatinine. ACLA's Board of Directors and general membership unanimously agreed to voluntarily and routinely report eGFR with physician test orders for serum creatinine.