In defense of creatinine clearance

The ratios creatinine clearance (Crcl)/inulin clearance (INcl) obtained in 523 measurements and reported in 14 papers have been analyzed and the values of CRcl corresponding to those of INcl have been evaluated. The day-to-day coefficient of variation of CRcl has also been measured in 123 persons, including patients with stable chronic renal failure and patients with normal renal function. The data obtained indicate that CRcl is not less sensitive than INcl, and that its changes are not blunted, if compared with similar changes of INcl. The day-to-day coefficient of variation has been found not to be greater than that of INcl. In conclusion, CRcl is not a misleading method to obtain approximate information on renal function, if it is correctly executed and interpreted.