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. 2022 Oct 24;61(1):44-47.
doi: 10.1515/cclm-2022-0928. Print 2023 Jan 27.

The new, race-free, Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Consortium (CKD-EPI) equation to estimate glomerular filtration rate: is it applicable in Europe? A position statement by the European Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (EFLM)

Pierre Delanaye  1   2 , Elke Schaeffner  3 , Mario Cozzolino  4 , Michel Langlois  5 , Mario Plebani  6 , Tomris Ozben  7 , Etienne Cavalier  8
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The new, race-free, Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Consortium (CKD-EPI) equation to estimate glomerular filtration rate: is it applicable in Europe? A position statement by the European Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (EFLM)

Pierre Delanaye et al. Clin Chem Lab Med. .
Free article

Abstract

The EFLM recommends not to implement the race-free Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Consortium (CKD-EPI) equation in European laboratories and to keep the 2009 version of the CKD-EPI equation, without applying a race correction factor. This recommendation is completely in line with a recent Editorial published by the European Renal Association who has also proposed to change to a novel equation only when it has considerably better performance, trying to reach global consensus before implementing such a new glomerular filtration rate (GFR) estimation equation. In Europe, this equation could be for instance the new European Kidney Function Consortium (EKFC) equation, which is population-specific, developed from European cohorts and accurate from infants to the older old. Beyond serum creatinine, the estimating equations based on cystatin C will probably gain in popularity, especially because cystatin C seems independent of race. Finally, we must keep in mind that all GFR equations remain an estimation of GFR, especially rough at the individual level. Measuring GFR with a reference method, such as iohexol clearance, remains indicated in specific patients and/or specific situations, and here also, the role of the clinical laboratories is central and should still evolve positively in the future.

Keywords: chronic kidney disease epidemiology consortium (CKD-EPI); creatinine; equation; estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR); european kidney function consortium (EKFC).

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