Glomerular filtration rate

Definition

Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is the measure of how well the kidneys filter blood, specifically the volume of filtrate produced per minute by all functioning nephrons. It is a critical indicator of renal function and health.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Normal GFR ranges from 90 to 120 mL/min/1.73 m² in healthy adults.
2. GFR decreases with age, making elderly patients more susceptible to renal issues.
3. Conditions like diabetes and hypertension can significantly reduce GFR.
4. GFR is often estimated using serum creatinine levels, age, sex, and body size through equations such as the MDRD or CKD-EPI formulas.
5. A low GFR indicates impaired kidney function and can affect drug dosing and choice of diuretics in treatment plans.

Review Questions

• What factors are used to estimate GFR in clinical practice?
• How does a decrease in GFR impact pharmacological treatments?
• Why is GFR an important measure for assessing renal function?

Related terms

Nephron: The functional unit of the kidney that filters blood to form urine.

Creatinine Clearance: A test used to estimate GFR by measuring the clearance rate of creatinine from the blood.

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD): A long-term condition characterized by a gradual loss of kidney function over time.