The Introduction of Creatinine Clearance to Estimate Kidney Function: A Centennial Anniversary

In 1914, Thomas Addis famously remarked that all we know for certain about the kidney is that it makes urine. More than a reflection of humility, this statement captured the state of uncertainty regarding kidney physiology at the time. Over a decade later in 1926, Poul Brandt Rehberg submitted his doctoral thesis, Studies on Kidney Function, where he described a method to measure the GFR. This Perspective marks the 100-year anniversary of Poul Brandt Rehberg's dissertation, wherein he introduced creatinine clearance as a method to estimate GFR and made critical contributions toward understanding the mechanisms underlying urine formation