Determining true glomerular filtration status in newly presenting type 2 diabetic subjects using age and sex...

To determine age- and sex-adjusted reference ranges (ASARRs) for glomerular filtration status using data from nondiabetic subjects and to apply these to newly presenting type 2 diabetic subjects.

Glomerular filtration rate corrected for body surface area (cGFR) was determined using a radionuclide (51Cr-EDTA) method in 75 non-diabetic subjects (37 men, 38 women) and 219 type 2 diabetic subjects (157 men, 62 women). The 95% constant reference ranges (CRRs) were calculated as mean nondiabetic cGFR+/-1.96 SD. The 95% ASARRs were calculated by Altman's method from the nondiabetic cGFR versus age regression residuals for both male and female subjects.

Using Altman's method, the intercepts, but not the gradients, of the cGFR versus age regressions were significantly different between male and female subjects (intercept difference [95% CI] 8.2 [1.3-15.1], gradient difference -0.4 [-1.1 to 0.3]). Fitting a common gradient, 95% ASARRs for normofiltration were found to be from 123.9 - (0.89 X age) to 181.7 - (0.89 x age) for male subjects, and from 116.0 - (0.89 X age) to 173.2 - (0.89 X age) for female subjects. The 95% CRR for normofiltration was 70.2-138.1 ml x min(-1) x (1.73 m)(-2). When applied to the diabetic cGFRs, the CRRs and ASARRs gave, respectively, 17% (37/219) versus 21% (46/219) hyperfiltrators and 83% (181/219) versus 79% (172/219) normofiltrators. Using the ASARRs, 14 normofiltrators (6 men, 8 women) were reclassified as hyperfiltrators (change [n/total n] [95% CI] 8% [14/181] [4-12]), and 5 hyperfiltrators (5 men, 0 women) were reclassified as normofiltrators (change 14% [5/37] [5-30]).

We conclude that age and sex adjustment are essential to assess glomerular filtration status.