[Evaluation of glomerular filtration rate and proteinuria for the diagnosis of chronic kidney disease].

An update of French position statement about estimation of glomerular filtration rate and proteinuria has been developed, using consensus methods. The use of a threshold of estimated glomerular filtration rate, uncorrected for age or sex, to define disease has been rightly criticised. For measurement of renal function, it is recommended to estimate glomerular filtration rate from serum creatinine using isotope dilution mass spectrometry (IDMS) traceable simplified modification of diet in renal disease (MDRD) equation. It is emphasized that the degree of proteinuria is a significant risk factor for progression of chronic kidney disease and for cardiovascular disease. The staging system (which comprises five stages, 1-5) defines chronic kidney disease on the basis of either evidence of kidney damage (proteinuria, haematuria, or anatomical abnormality) or an impaired glomerular filtration rate less than 60 ml/min/1.73 m(2), present on at least two occasions over three months or longer. The adoption of this staging system is recommended.