Which laboratory value is essential for assessing the risk of chronic kidney disease?

The assessment of chronic kidney disease (CKD) relies heavily on the measurement of creatinine levels in the blood. Creatinine is a waste product produced by muscle metabolism, and its levels correlate with kidney function. The kidneys are responsible for filtering creatinine out of the bloodstream, so an accumulation of this substance signifies that the kidneys may not be functioning adequately.

Serum creatinine levels are commonly used to calculate the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), a key indicator of kidney function. A lower eGFR reflects impaired kidney function, which is essential for diagnosing and staging CKD. Monitoring creatinine levels allows healthcare providers to evaluate the progression of kidney disease and the effectiveness of treatment interventions over time.

In contrast, while Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) is another marker of kidney function, it can be influenced by factors such as hydration status, protein intake, and metabolic state, making it less reliable than creatinine for assessing CKD. Aldosterone and erythropoietin levels are involved in various hormonal regulation processes in the body but are not direct indicators of kidney function or the risk of chronic kidney disease. Thus, creatinine levels provide the most direct and relevant assessment regarding renal health and the potential risk of CK