A survey of renal function in outpatients with rheumatoid arthritis.
The acute renal side-effects of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are well documented. These include interstitial nephritis, hyperkalaemia, renal tubular acidosis, fluid retention, hypertension and nephrotic syndrome. The long-term effects are less well known. We have carried out a cross-sectional survey of an unselected out-patient population with definite or classical rheumatoid arthritis to determine the prevalence of renal problems in this group. Thirty-four patients (20%) were shown to have an abnormality as defined by our criteria but in the majority this was transient or had been previously recognised. Thirteen patients (8%) had a persistent unexplained abnormality but only 1 had merited renal biopsy using established criteria (Patient 1). We conclude that the long-term use of NSAID's is associated with relatively few renal side-effects.
Richards
I M
IM
Departments of Rheumatology, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, UK.
Fraser
S M
SM
Capell
H A
HA
Fox
J G
JG
Boulton-Jones
J M
JM
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000652:urine; D003404:Creatinine / Q000652:urine; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007677:Kidney Function Tests; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D003404:Creatinine