Current status and methodological aspects on the measurement of glomerular filtration rate

Determination of the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) contribute to our understanding of kidney physiology and pathophysiology . Moreover, determination of GFR is of clinical importance in assessing the diagnosis and the progression of renal disease. The purpose of this article is to review the technical performance and results of GFR measurements, including the classical inulin clearance technique and more recent alternative clearance techniques using radioisotope-labelled filtration markers, bolus infusion and spontaneous bladder emptying. Some simplified techniques avoiding urinary collection are also described. We conclude that estimation of GFR from renal and in some cases plasmatic clearances is accurate and more convenient than the classical inulin clearance technique. Such measurements of GFR should be included both in clinical practice and clinical research. (authors). 80 refs., 5 figs., 1 tab