[Clarification of renal insufficiency in geriatric patients]

In addition to history taking and clinical examination, blood and serum values, a urine examination and ultrasound of the abdomen are helpful in the diagnostic clarification of renal insufficiency. The glomerular filtration rate (GFR) determines the severity of the renal insufficiency. It is estimated (eGFR) from the serum creatinine, the age and gender of the patient. The protein and albumin/creatinine ratios in the urine provide information on the etiology of renal insufficiency and are a measure of the patient's cardiovascular risk. A urine dipstick is used to screen for cellular components and should be supplemented with an investigation of the urine sediment if positive. Sonography is used to determine the size of the kidneys, morphological changes in the kidneys and to rule out urinary obstruction.