Objective: To investigate the significance of use of modification of diet in renal disease (MDRD) equation in calculating glomerular filtration rate (GFR) so as to estimate the prevalence of "renal insufficiency" in type 2 diabetes patients.
Methods: Serum creatinine (Scr) and 24h-urinary albumin excretion (24 h-UAE) were measured in 1576 hospitalized type 2 diabetes patients. MDRD equation was used to calculate the GFR (GFR(MDRD)). GFR(MDRD) < 60 ml/min per 1.73 m2 was defined as "renal insufficiency".
Results: (1) Of the 1576 subjects, 908 (57.6%), 503 (31.9%), and 165 (10.5%) had GFR(MDRD) > or =90, 90-60, and <60 ml/min per 1.73 m2 respectively. The prevalence of "renal insufficiency" was increased with aging (P < 0.01). (2) The prevalence rates of "renal insufficiency" of the normo-, micro-, and macroalbuminuric groups were 4.8%, 14.4%, and 43.4% respectively, with significant differences among them (all P < 0.01). (3) Of the 165 subjects with "renal insufficiency", 21 (12.7%) had neither abnormal Scr nor abnormal albuminuria.
Conclusion: Able to discover renal insufficiency early, MDRD equation has important clinical significance in evaluating the progression of renal dysfunction in type 2 diabetes patients.