In patients not suspected of having CKD, how should estimates just below 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 be interpreted?
There will be some uncertainty for patients without markers of kidney damage and with GFR estimates just below 60 mL/min/1.73 m2. Some of these patients may have a measured GFR above 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 and therefore would not have CKD. Clinical decision making will depend on other patient characteristics, such as the presence or absence of risk factors for CKD or complications of CKD. In some patients, clinicians may decide to defer further evaluation for CKD, but it may be prudent to monitor estimated GFR more frequently, adjust the dosage of medications that are excreted by the kidney, and avoid medications toxic to the kidney (see questions 26, 29, 31).
