[Serum creatinine content of questionable value in screening for renal disease]

In a health screening programme for men aged 28-48 years, a check of serum creatinine values was included as a renal function test. Of 21,362 men screened, 114 (0.53 per cent) had two values greater than or equal to 120 mumol/l, and were further investigated vis-à-vis possible kidney disease. Of the 114 cases, renal disease including essential hypertension was present in 63, though only 29 cases had not been diagnosed previously, and in only seven cases was there no albuminuria, hypertension or history of renal disease. These findings raise doubts as to the value of analysing s-creatinine when screening for renal disease.