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Updated: May 12, 2026
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5/6th Nephrectomy in Combination with High Salt Diet and Nitric Oxide Synthase Inhibition to Induce Chronic Kidney Disease in the Lewis Rat
Published on: July 3, 2013
Using hypernatraemic events to predict reduced renal function in elderly lithium patients: a brief report
Soham Rej1, Soumia I Senouci, Karl Looper
1Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. soham.rej@mail.mcgill.ca
Summary
Hypernatraemic events in elderly patients using lithium may signal declining kidney function. Monitoring sodium levels is crucial for preventing renal failure in this population.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Geriatric Psychiatry
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Lithium therapy is associated with diabetes insipidus (DI) and potential renal impairment.
- Existing research links decreased kidney function with DI in lithium-treated patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if hypernatraemic events predict reduced renal function in elderly patients undergoing lithium treatment.
- To assess the association between hypernatraemia and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in this demographic.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective cohort study of 55 geriatric psychiatry patients on lithium (1985-2010).
- Comparison of renal function (eGFR and severe chronic renal failure) between patients with and without hypernatraemia (serum sodium ≥147 mmol/L).
Main Results:
- Hypernatraemic patients exhibited significantly lower eGFR (41 vs 56 mL/min/1.73 m²; P=0.0074).
- While not statistically significant, severe chronic renal failure was more prevalent in the hypernatraemic group (28.6% vs 7.3%).
- Multivariate analysis confirmed hypernatraemia as a predictor of decreased eGFR (β = -0.39, P = 0.004).
Conclusions:
- Hypernatraemic events are potential predictors of diminished renal function in elderly lithium users.
- Further research is needed to clarify the role of hypernatraemia and DI in lithium-associated renal failure.
- Clinicians should monitor renal function closely in older patients on lithium, especially those with sodium level abnormalities.
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