Measured Glomerular Filtration Rate: The Query for a Workable Golden Standard Technique.
Level 5 - mechanism / opinion, no new human data
Narrative review with expert commentary and no original data or systematic review methodology.
PubMed 34683089 · doi:10.3390/jpm11100949
What was done
The authors reviewed the methodological, analytical, and practical challenges of measured glomerular filtration rate (mGFR) techniques, evaluating classical inulin clearance alongside radioactive (51Cr-EDTA, 99mTc-DTPA, 125I-iothalamate) and non-radioactive (iohexol, iothalamate) exogenous markers.
What was found
No quantitative data or numerical outcomes were reported in the abstract. The authors highlighted that radioactive markers have supply constraints and safety requirements, while non-radioactive markers lack certified reference materials and evidence-based procedural standardization (such as urinary versus plasma clearance, single versus multiple sampling protocols, and delay timing), leading to substantial inter-study variability.
Why it matters
Standardization of mGFR markers, measurement assays, and sampling protocols is necessary before alternative clearance methods can serve as true reference standards or be used to reliably validate new endogenous filtration markers.
Limits
This is a narrative review providing expert perspective rather than empirical data or a systematic meta-analysis. The abstract reports no quantitative comparisons, effect estimates, or diagnostic accuracy metrics across the reviewed markers.
Cited by
- supports Inulin clearance is the gold standard method for measuring glomerular filtration rate.