Glomerular filtration rate determination in diabetic patients using iohexol clearance - comparison of single and multiple plasma sampling methods

Use of iohexol clearance has been described as the gold standard for the me asurement of glomerular filtration rate (GFR). It is suggested that multipl e plasma sampling following iohexol injection is required to accurately det ermine GFR by area under plasma clearance curve. The aim of this study was to determine whether single plasma sampling 4 h after injection of iohexol could accurately determine GFR in diabetic patients with mild to moderate r enal failure, compared to multiple plasma sampling. A total of 120 GFR dete rminations in 36 patients with non-insulin dependent diabetic renal disease were done over 1 year. No acute deterioration was seen in renal function f ollowing injection of contrast in any patient. Strong correlation in GFR me asurement was observed between the multiple plasma sampling method and the single plasma sampling method (r(2) = 0.975). Single plasma sampling 4 h af ter bolus injection of iohexol is a safe and accurate method of determining GFR and change in GFR in diabetic subjects with mild to moderate renal imp airment. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.