Creatinine: A review

Abstract

Measurement of creatinine has many applications. The authors review the determination of urinary creatinine as a valid index of completeness of 24 hr urine collection, the clinical utility of the determination of creatinine clearance ratios, and measurement of the ratio of the clearance of specific analytes, such as amylase, to the ratio of clearance of creatinine. The chemistry and variables that affect the Jaffe reaction are reviewed, and attempts at improvement of specificity are discussed. The authors also reviewed and assessed techniques other than the Jaffe reaction for measurement of creatinine.