Reports from University of Brasilia advance knowledge in kidney disease.(Report)

Current study results from the report, 'Monitoring renal function: measured and estimated glomerular filtration rates - a review,' have been published. "Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a world-wide public health problem, with adverse outcomes of kidney failure, cardiovascular disease, and premature death. This finding has led to the hypothesis that earlier recognition of kidney disease and successful intervention may improve outcome," investigators in Brasil, Brazil report (see also Kidney Disease).

"The National Kidney Foundation, through its Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative (K/DOQI), and other National institutions recommend glomerular filtration rate (GFR) for the definition, classification, screening, and monitoring of CKD. Blood creatinine clearance, the most widely used clinical marker of kidney function, is now recognized as an unreliable measure of GFR because serum creatinine is affected by age, weight, muscle mass, race, various medications, and extra-glomerular elimination. Cystatin C concentration is a new and promising marker for kidney dysfunction in both native and transplanted kidneys. Because of its low molecular weight, cystatin C is freely filtered at the glomerulus and is almost completely reabsorbed and catabolized, but not secreted, by tubular cells. Given these characteristics, cystatin C concentration may be superior to creatinine concentration in detecting chronic kidney disease," wrote J.V. Salgado and colleagues, University of Brasilia.

The researchers concluded: "This review aims to evaluate from recent literature the clinical efficiency and relevance of these GFR markers in terms of screening CKD."

Salgado and colleagues published their study in Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research (Monitoring renal function: measured and estimated glomerular filtration rates - a review. Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research, 2010;43(6):528-36).

For additional information, contact J.V. Salgado, Universidade de Brasilia, Departamento de Ciencias Farmaceuticas, DF, Brasil.

Keywords: City:Brasil, Country:Brazil, Gastroenterology, Kidney Diseases, Male Urogenital Diseases, Nephrology, Renal Function, Urologic Diseases.

This article was prepared by Cardiovascular Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2010, Cardiovascular Week via NewsRx.com.