Estimated glomerular filtration rate for drug dose adjustment: Cockcroft and Gault or abbreviated MDRD equation?

OBJECTIVES: Evaluate if Cockcroft and Gault (CG) estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) might be replaced by abbreviated MDRD eGFR for drug dose adjustment. DESIGN AND METHODS: eGFR was determined in 140 hospitalized patients (median: 68 years, 65 kg) treated by nephrotoxic and/or renally cleared drugs. RESULTS: CG eGFR was 61 mL/min vs. 78 mL/min/1.73 m(2) for MDRD (p<0.0001). CG-MDRD difference ranged from -93 to +34 mL/min, influenced by patient age, weight, and gender (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: CG eGFR cannot be easily replaced by abbreviated MDRD eGFR for drug dose adjustment.