The estimation of glomerular filtration rate in type 2 diabetic patients may depend on the equation used.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to compare the estimation of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) outpatients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included 1686 subjects, aged 68±10 years. GFR was evaluated with five different equations: GFRM-DRD186, GFRMDRD175, GFRCKD-EPI, GFR-MAYO, GFRC-G. RESULTS: GFR was lower than 60 ml min^-1 kg^-1 in 456 patients (27%) by GFRMDRD186, in 531 (31.5%) by GFRMDRD175, in 504 (30%) by GFRCKD-EPI, in 433 (26%) by GFRC-G, and in 255 (15%) by GFRMAYO.The mean differences in measuring GFR with the different formulae ranged from 1.03±6.20 to -14.5±11.9 ml min^-1 1.73 m^2-1. CONCLUSIONS: The evaluation of GFR with different formulae in type 2 DM patients may identify different chronic kidney disease (CKD) stages. Physicians could take advantage by the knowledge of the formula used for evaluation of renal function, for a better interpretation of values and a more appropriate use in the everyday clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]