Relationship between uremic index and renal function in patients with chronic renal failure and in those with normal renal function

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the relationship between uremic index (UI) and renal function measured by creatinine clearance (CrCl) in persons with normal renal function and in those with chronic renal failure (CRF), as well as to compare the renal function extrapolated from serum creatinine and that calculated with equations internationally recommended. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted including patients attended in outpatient clinics at Hospital Cayetano Heredia in Lima from June 2018 to June 2019. Pearson’s correlation between UI and CrCl was calculated; comparison of means of UI, serum creatinine and standard equations was done by ANOVA and eta square. Results: the overall UI was 4.37 ± 4.99 mg/dl and correlated linearly with CrCl (r=-0.74, p=0.000). The UI and the log UI were significantly more predictive of CrCl than serum creatinine and the international equations used. The UI correlated significantly with serum potassium than serum creatinine. Conclusions: The UI is a good indicator of the metabolic and nutritional status in persons with normal renal function and with CRF and reflects more accurately the CrCl.