Creatinine Clearance:
Revised Schwartz Estimate

Estimate glomerular filtration rate (creatinine clearance) from serum creatinine and the patient's height using the "interim IDMS-traceable" Schwartz estimate published in 2009.

The revised Schwartz formula¹ is:

GFR =	0.413 * Ht
	Crserum

Height is measured in cm. Serum creatinine is measured in mg/dL. Measured creatinine should be in steady state. This formula may be most accurate in the range of 15 to 75 mL/min per 1.73 m². Values >75 should be reported as such rather than as a specific number.

This formula applies to enzymatic serum creatinine measurements calibrated to reference measurements by isotope dilution mass spectroscopy (IDMS), but not to alkaline picrate ("Jaffe") methods, even those traceable to IDMS. (For more information see National Kidney Disease Education Program.)

Serum samples that are hemolyzed or have elevated bilirubin may lower creatinine measurements.

Many medications must be adjusted for renal impairment when the CrCl falls below 50 mL/min.

1. Schwartz GJ, Muñoz A, Schneider MF, Mak RH, Kaskel F, Warady BA, Furth SL. J Am Soc Nephrol. 2009 Mar;20(3):629-37

Special thanks to Dr. Megan Rashid, University of Rochester.

Created: September 28, 2010
Revised: October 14, 2010