eGFR results for black people

[Surehope]

Why do the eGFR results for black people need to be multiplied by 1.2 on the uk

[Hidden]

Hi and welcome to the community. I've posted an article that can better explain this for you. Hope this answers your question.kidney.org/atoz/content/rac...

[Surehope]

Thank you for replying to my question of why the eGFR results of black people need to be multiplied by 1.2. Sadly the websites you suggested did not seem to answer the question, unless I missed it. They mainly stated that black people and other BAME people suffered from CKD disproportionately compared to whites. Black people being 4 times more likely in fact than whites. My question is why do their results have to be multiplied by 1.2. Should it not be the reverse.? Should not the threshold be lower? My GP doesn't know which is why I'm turning to a Kidney organisation

[Hidden in reply to Surehope]

While the entire article should be taken in total as a reason, I've copied and pasted below the specific reason mentioned.

How is race used in estimating GFR?

The eGFR is calculated from the amount of creatinine in the blood using a math equation. Creatinine is a waste product that comes from the normal wear and tear on muscles of the body and also from the diet. Everyone has creatinine in their bloodstream. However, different people can have different creatinine levels in their blood. This difference is not always related to kidney disease, and it can be affected by different factors, such as age, sex, body weight and/or race. Several equations have been created to measure eGFR using a combination of these factors with the goal of getting a more accurate measure of kidney function.

Studies have shown that individuals who self-identify as Black or African Americans can have higher levels of creatinine in the blood (on average), compared to people of other races or ethnicities. However, otherwise similar Black and White Americans can have the same blood creatinine level, but also have different eGFRs for reasons that can include differences in muscle mass, differences in diet and differences in the way the kidneys eliminate creatinine.

[Surehope in reply to Hidden]

Ok thank you for your time Mr Kidney. So if one of the factors for blacks suffering disproportionately with CKD is to do with having greater muscles mass than whites does that mean they should avoid exercise that increases muscle mass.

[Hidden in reply to Surehope]

As a lay person that would make sense to me however, a more detailed and educated answer would be best coming from a knowledgeable physician.

[Lovemyblues in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for this information

[Surehope]

Thank you barbara55109 i will read the articles now. This is much appreciated

[LavenderRabbit]

Are you saying that the multiplying the eGFR by 1.2 is false and just racist?

[Surehope in reply to LavenderRabbit]

Well if only blacks are told to multiply their eGFR results by 1.2 what else could it be?

[Darlenia]

Oh wow! I learned something today and it bothers me to the core. I sincerely hope that this very biased and unjust racial scoring technique ends tomorrow - preferably today. Thank you for shedding light on this subject.