Drug-induced renal function impairment: a population-based survey

Purpose The knowledge that drugs can affect renal function is mainly based on experimental studies or case reports. Thus, it has only been investigated in selected populations. Here we describe drug groups associated with altered renal function in the general population.

Methods To study this, we used baseline data of 8592 subjects of a population-based cohort. Hyper- and hypotiltration were defined as a filtration above or below the 90% confidence interval of age- and-sex-corrected creatinine clearance. Drug use was measured in the year preceding the kidney function measurement.

Results The prevalence of hyperfiltration (4.6% in the general population) was higher among subjects using anti-diabetics (11.7%), dermatological corticosteroids (5.9%) and sex hormones (5.8%), but lower in subjects using anti-thrombotics (2.4%) and diuretics (2.1%). Hypofiltration (4.3% in the general population) was seen more often in users of beta blockers (6.2%), ACE inhibitors (7.1%), statins (7.2%), anti-thrombitics (6.8%), trimethoprim (7.9%), vaccines (9.4%), NSAIDs (5.2%), anti-ulcer agents (6.3%), laxatives (7.7%) and eyedrops (6.7%).

Conclusions Several drug groups found in this overview were to be expected, since patients with kidney diseases often use them (e.g. cardiovascular drugs). Several other drug groups were somewhat unexpected and deserve further attention. Copyright (C) 2003 John Wiley Sons, Ltd.