[Chronic use of analgesics]

Area of Science:

• Nephrology
• Pharmacology
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Long-term analgesic use is common, but its association with kidney damage requires further investigation.
• End-stage renal failure (ESRF) poses a significant public health challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantitatively assess the relationship between regular analgesic intake and the risk of developing end-stage renal failure.
• To identify patterns of analgesic consumption associated with renal failure.

Main Methods:

• A case-control study was conducted in West Berlin between 1984 and 1986.
• Investigated lifetime analgesic consumption in over 1000 individuals.
• Defined regular analgesic intake as ≥15 doses/month for ≥12 months.

Main Results:

• 285 long-term analgesic users were identified (185 cases, 100 controls).
• An odds ratio of 2.44 (95% CI: 1.77-3.39) indicated a significantly higher risk of ESRF with regular analgesic use.
• 90% of regular users preferred mixed analgesics, often containing caffeine.

Conclusions:

• Regular, long-term analgesic consumption is a significant risk factor for end-stage renal failure.
• Mixed analgesic compounds, especially those with caffeine, are frequently used by individuals at risk.
• Public health initiatives should address the risks associated with chronic analgesic use.