Study Uncovers New Formula for Hyper filtration and Glomerular Filtration Rate

Researchers have come up with a new calculation method to accurately assess glomerular filtration rate. The findings were published in Hypertension Research.

Annual health checkups regularly include urine tests that serve several purposes, including checking for symptoms of kidney disease. The presence of albumin in the urine is one indicator as is glomerular filtration rate. In diabetic nephropathy, albuminuria first appears, leading to excessive filtration and eventually a decrease in glomerular filtration rate. In the elderly, however, excessive filtration cannot be detected due to age-related glomerular filtration rate decline.

Researchers assessed 180 kidney transplant donor candidates to define a new formula for determining the threshold value for hyper filtration based on age and glomerular filtration rate values.

Among other findings, the conventional method of correcting for body surface area in obese patients was determined to be inaccurate as excessive filtration cannot be detected. The researchers suggest calculating glomerular filtration rate without the correction but by taking into account the decline in the filtration rate due to aging.

“Since hyperfiltration is a precursor to diabetic nephropathy, we hope that using this new formula will more accurately diagnose the condition, leading to early detection and treatment,” stated Dr. Akihiro Tsuda, a lecturer at the Graduate School of Medicine.

Reference: Tsuda, A., Mori, K., Uedono, H. et al. Definition of hyperfiltration taking into account age-related decline in renal function in kidney donor candidates with obesity and glucose tolerance disorder. Hypertens Res (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41440-024-02020-y