Renal function in lithium and non-lithium treated patients with affective disorders

Renal function was examined in 101 patients maintained on sustained-release lithium carbonate for periods ranging from 1 to 12.5 years. A control group of patients with affective disorders who had never been given lithium was also investigated as well as a control group of normal subjects of comparable age and sex. Creatinine clearance, serum creatinine, maximum urine osmolality after DDAVP administration, urine and plasma beta 2-microglobulin and the urinary excretion of N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase were not significantly different between patients on lithium and depressed patients never on lithium. Side effects that have been related to lithium therapy were not correlated with duration of lithium therapy. It is concluded that there was little evidence of a serious renal functional impairment attributable to lithium therapy.