Effects of analytic variations in creatinine measurements on the classification of renal disease using estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR)
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George G. Klee
Abstract
Background: This study uses the Isotope Dilution Mass Spectrometer-Traceable Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) equation to evaluate the effects of analytic variation of serum creatinine on estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). The equation was inverted to provide critical creatinine levels corresponding to eGFRs equal to 15, 30, and 60 mL/min/1.73 m2.
Methods: eGFRs were calculated for two populations of patients representing clinic outpatients and hospitalized inpatients. Simulation studies evaluated the effects of analytic bias for these populations. Differences between creatinine tests ordered on consecutive blood draws were analyzed for within-subject eGFR variation. Finally, propagation of error techniques established the relationship between creatinine imprecision and eGFR imprecision.
Results: eGFR of 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 corresponds to creatinine levels of 80–156 μmol/L. A 20-μmol/L negative shift of creatinine approximately doubles the percentage of patients classified in various stages of decreased renal function, whereas a positive shift approximately halves the percentage. The central 95% limits for within-subject variation of eGFR are 33% for outpatients, 38% for inpatients and 40% across the groups. eGFR imprecision is approximately 15%–20% higher than creatinine imprecision.
Conclusions: Small analytic changes in serum creatinine create major shifts in the distributions of eGFR, which can cause large differences in the classification of patients. The within-subject variations in eGFR over time, especially between hospital and clinic measurements, can be large. Therefore, tight control of laboratory analysis is important.
Clin Chem Lab Med 2007;45:737–41.
©2007 by Walter de Gruyter Berlin New York
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- Risk management in the preanalytical phase of laboratory testing
- Recommendations for detection and management of unsuitable samples in clinical laboratories
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Articles in the same Issue
- Foreword
- Errors in laboratory medicine and patient safety: the road ahead
- How can we make laboratory testing safer?
- “Pre-pre” and “post-post” analytical error: high-incidence patient safety hazards involving the clinical laboratory
- Risk management in the preanalytical phase of laboratory testing
- Recommendations for detection and management of unsuitable samples in clinical laboratories
- Effects of analytic variations in creatinine measurements on the classification of renal disease using estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR)
- Process and risk analysis to reduce errors in clinical laboratories
- Reduction of multi-dimensional laboratory data to a two-dimensional plot: a novel technique for the identification of laboratory error
- Does external evaluation of laboratories improve patient safety?
- Risk management in laboratory medicine: quality assurance programs and professional competence
- Point-of-care testing, medical error, and patient safety: a 2007 assessment
- Blood gas and patient safety: considerations based on experience developed in accordance with the Risk Management perspective
- The role of in vitro diagnostic companies in reducing laboratory error
- Application of the Six Sigma concept in clinical laboratories: a review
- One hundred years of laboratory testing and patient safety
