Analytical and Biological Variability of Urinary Epidermal Growth Factor-to-Creatinine Ratio in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease and in Healthy Volunteers.

Background: Urinary levels of epidermal growth factor to creatinine ratio are considered as an early predictor of interstitial kidney fibrosis but so far no data are available on their biological variation (BV) and derived parameters. The aim of this study is to determine the BV of epidermal growth factor to creatinine ratio in patients with chronic kidney disease and in healthy volunteers.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included 150 patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and 150 healthy volunteers (HV).

Accuracy of Urinary Epidermal Growth Factor to Creatinine Ratio to Predict 24-Hour Urine Epidermal Growth Factor and Interstitial Kidney Fibrosis in Patients with IgA Nephropathy.

Background: Urinary levels of EGF may be a noninvasive biomarker of the degree of interstitial fibrosis. However, all the available data are based on studies that examined the EGF/creatinine ratio in spot urine samples. The agreement between EGF/creatinine ratio and 24-hours EGF excretion has not been analyzed, neither has it been established which of these two measurements is a better predictor of the degree of interstitial fibrosis.

Reaching consensus on communication of critical laboratory results using a collective intelligence method.

Background: There is no consensus in the literature about what analytes or values should be informed as critical results and how they should be communicated. The main aim of this project is to establish consensual standards of critical results for the laboratories participating in the study. Among the project's secondary objectives, establishing consensual procedures for communication can be highlighted.