1. What is the Cockcroft-Gault Equation?

The Cockcroft-Gault equation estimates creatinine clearance (CrCl), which correlates with glomerular filtration rate (GFR). It's commonly used for drug dosing adjustments in patients with kidney impairment.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Cockcroft-Gault equation:

Where:

• \( Age \) — Age in years
• \( Weight \) — Actual body weight in kilograms
• \( SCr \) — Serum creatinine in mg/dL
• 0.85 — Female adjustment factor

Explanation: The equation estimates creatinine clearance based on age, weight, serum creatinine, and gender.

3. Importance of CrCl Calculation

Details: CrCl estimation is crucial for adjusting medication dosages in patients with kidney impairment, particularly for drugs with narrow therapeutic windows.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter age in years, actual body weight in kg, serum creatinine in mg/dL, and select gender. All values must be valid (age 1-120, weight > 0, SCr > 0).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Should I use actual or ideal body weight?
A: For most patients, use actual body weight. For obese patients (BMI >30), consider using adjusted body weight.

Q2: What are normal CrCl values?
A: Normal range is approximately 90-120 mL/min for young adults, decreasing with age.

Q3: How does this compare to eGFR?
A: CrCl tends to be higher than eGFR. The Cockcroft-Gault equation is preferred for drug dosing, while eGFR is used for CKD staging.

Q4: Are there limitations to this equation?
A: Less accurate in extremes of age, weight, muscle mass, and in patients with rapidly changing kidney function.

Q5: When should I use this calculation?
A: Primarily for drug dosing adjustments in patients with or at risk of kidney impairment.