title: Lithium: long-term effects on the kidney. I. Renal function in retrospect.
abstract: 46 patients treated with lithium for an average of 8 years participated in a functional-morphological follow-up study based on a 12-day hospitalization and involving a kidney biopsy. The functional part of the study showed that tubular function was markedly influenced, leading to increased urine volume (average 3 1/24 h) and a decreased renal concentration capacity in 85% of the patients. Glomerular function was generally not influenced, and only 10% of the patients had glomerular filtration rates below their age-corrected normal ranges. Both urine volume and glomerular filtration rates showed significant correlations with dosage schedule. Urine volume was lower and glomerular filtration rate higher on a one-dose schedule than when lithium was given in divided doses during the day. It is concluded that discontinuity in lithium treatment minimizes lithium effects on kidney function.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003404:Creatinine; D004231:Diuresis; D005260:Female; D005919:Glomerular Filtration Rate; D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007671:Kidney Concentrating Ability; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*; D008094:Lithium / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016651:Lithium Carbonate; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D016651:Lithium Carbonate; D008094:Lithium; D003404:Creatinine