A spreadsheet program for GFR calculation in clinical nuclear medicine

Manual calculation of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) introduces chances of error and takes considerable time. The present study was undertaken to write a user-friendly spreadsheet based program, which is rapid, avoids calculation errors and stores data for further analysis. Two-sample method formula was used for calculating GFR. Data entry interface sheet was linked to a database. Areas that require data entry are shaded, whereas all other areas are protected to prevent the sheet from being corrupted by a typographic error. The accuracy and reproducibility of the program have been tested with available raw data of patients and compared with our previous standardized program (in C++).

This program reduces the time of manual calculation from 15–20 min to just about 2 minute that is the time needed for entering the data. A GFR value with raw data is available in the patient database, which may be used for any further scientific/statistical analysis. Periodic variation in GFR, if any, can also be seen simultaneously along with the normal value. This may prove to be a useful tool for nuclear medicine physicians in Indian circumstances as an accurate and rapid method for calculating GFR.