Kidney Failure Risk Equation (4-variable KFRE)
Predicted 2- and 5-year risk of kidney failure in CKD.
What is Kidney Failure Risk Equation (4-variable KFRE)?
Predicted 2- and 5-year risk of kidney failure in CKD. Kidney Failure Risk Equation is intended for use in: Adults with CKD stage 3-5 (referred nephrology populations).
How to Use the Kidney Failure Risk Equation Calculator
- Enter Age in years.
- Enter Sex.
- Enter eGFR in mL/min/1.73m².
- Enter Urine albumin-creatinine ratio (ACR) in mg/g. If your lab reports ACR in mg/mmol, multiply by 8.84 to convert to mg/g first.
- Click Calculate to see your result and interpretation.
Formula & Version
This calculator uses formula version 1.0, last reviewed September 2026.
Clinical Considerations & Limitations
- Best validated for patients already referred to nephrology with eGFR < 60; less validated in general primary-care CKD populations.
- Coefficients shown here are the original North American 4-variable set — regional recalibrations exist and may perform differently in some populations.
- This implementation should be checked against the original publication before being relied on clinically.
References
- Tangri N et al., JAMA 2011;305:1553-1559 (4-variable North American coefficients)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Kidney Failure Risk Equation (4-variable KFRE)?
Predicted 2- and 5-year risk of kidney failure in CKD.
Who is Kidney Failure Risk Equation intended for?
Adults with CKD stage 3-5 (referred nephrology populations). Always confirm applicability to your specific patient before use.
What are the limitations of Kidney Failure Risk Equation?
Best validated for patients already referred to nephrology with eGFR < 60; less validated in general primary-care CKD populations. Coefficients shown here are the original North American 4-variable set — regional recalibrations exist and may perform differently in some populations. This implementation should be checked against the original publication before being relied on clinically.
What formula or reference does Kidney Failure Risk Equation use?
Tangri N et al., JAMA 2011;305:1553-1559 (4-variable North American coefficients)
Is Kidney Failure Risk Equation a diagnosis?
No. Kidney Failure Risk Equation produces a score or estimate to support clinical decision-making — it is not a diagnosis and should be interpreted alongside full clinical judgement.
