Kidney Function in Frequent Users of Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)

Abstract

Background: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are used for managing painful conditions. They are available as cheap, over-the-counter drugs, and commonly abused. NSAIDs inhibit prostaglandins (PGs) actions on the kidneys and can cause kidney disease and hypertension, especially when used in excess doses, for prolonged period or in stressed states. Methods: The descriptive study was carried at the Orthopaedic and Family Medicine units of the Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta. Two hundred respondents participated in the study. One hundred frequent users of NSAIDs (with daily use for ≥ 4 weeks) and age and sex-matched controls with no known risk for kidney disease and had consented were consecutively recruited. Data were entered from history, examination and investigations (urinalysis, serum electrolyte, kidney scan and biopsy). Cases with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) < 60 mls/min/1.73 m 2) and dip strip proteinuria ≥ 1+ had kidney biopsy. Statistical analysis was with SPSS 21 software. Student t-test and Chi-square tests were used to compare means and proportions respectively. Pearson's correlation test was used to determine the strength of association between independent risk factors and kidney dysfunction (KD). Results: Two hundred respondents participated in the study. Fifty one (51) females and Forty nine (49) males were recruited as cases and controls respectively. Thirteen (13) females had KD compared to 9 males, (P = 0.02). The mean age of cases with KD (63.04 yrs ± 4.21) was statistically higher than those without KD (P = 0.01). Majority of the cases were in the working population (30-59 yrs). Twenty two (22) frequent NSAIDs users had kidney dys-How to cite this paper: Uduagbamen PK,