Kidney function estimates compared
This comparison describes how the methods differ; it does not declare one universally better — the choice depends on the patient and clinical context.
| eGFR | eGFRcr-cys | MDRD eGFR | CrCl (Cockcroft–Gault) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Method | CKD-EPI 2021 creatinine equation (race-free) | CKD-EPI 2021 creatinine–cystatin C; CKD-EPI 2012 cystatin C | MDRD study equation (IDMS-traceable, 2006) | Cockcroft–Gault (1976) |
| Inputs | Serum creatinine، Age، Sex | Serum creatinine، Serum cystatin C، Age، Sex | Serum creatinine، Age، Sex | Age، Sex، Weight، Height، Serum creatinine |
| Population | Adults aged 18 and over with a stable creatinine level. | Adults aged 18 and over; standardized cystatin C assay. | Adults; most accurate below 60 mL/min/1.73 m². | Adults with stable kidney function. |
| Key limitations | A G1 or G2 value alone does not mean kidney disease: CKD also needs markers such as albumin in the urine, lasting more than 3 months. Less accurate with unusual muscle mass (bodybuilders, amputations, frailty), vegetarian diets, pregnancy and acute kidney injury. | A G1 or G2 value alone does not mean kidney disease: CKD also needs markers such as albumin in the urine, lasting more than 3 months. Cystatin C may be influenced by non-GFR factors, including higher adiposity, smoking, hypo- and hyperthyroidism, glucocorticoid excess and chronic inflammation (KDIGO 2024). | Less accurate at GFR of 60 and above; the CKD-EPI equation (2009) performed better, especially at higher GFR. KDIGO 2024 advises a validated equation without race, used consistently within a region. Less accurate with unusual muscle mass (bodybuilders, amputations, frailty), vegetarian diets, pregnancy and acute kidney injury. | Not standardized to body surface area and not equal to GFR. Overestimates with modern IDMS-standardized creatinine, especially at low values. |
| Reference | Inker LA, Eneanya ND, Coresh J, et al. New creatinine- and cystatin C-based equations to estimate GFR without race (2021) | Inker LA, Eneanya ND, Coresh J, et al. New creatinine- and cystatin C-based equations to estimate GFR without race (2021) | Levey AS, Coresh J, Greene T, et al. Using standardized serum creatinine values in the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease study equation for estimating glomerular filtration rate (2006) | Cockcroft DW, Gault MH. Prediction of creatinine clearance from serum creatinine (1976) |
| Version | 2.0.1 | 1.0.1 | 1.0.1 | 1.0.1 |