title: Substance abuse and the kidney.
abstract: Substance abuse has been increasing steadily in the UK and some other countries. Recent evidence suggests more than 40% of young people have tried illicit drugs at some time. There are numerous medical consequences to recreational drug use, and a physician should always consider substance abuse in any unexplained illness. The renal complications of drug abuse are also becoming more frequent, and may encompass a spectrum of glomerular, interstitial and vascular diseases. Although some substances are directly nephrotoxic, a number of other mechanisms are also involved. These effects are often chronic and irreversible, but occasionally acute with possible recovery. The rapid growth of illicit drug use is clearly a major public health problem. We review the commonly used substances of abuse and their associations with renal disease.
authors.affiliation: Regional Renal Unit, Royal Liverpool University Hospital, Liverpool, UK
authors.forename: A V
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Crowe
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Howse
authors.forename: G M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Bell
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Henry
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D019973:Alcohol-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications; D019969:Amphetamine-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000009:adverse effects; D019970:Cocaine-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications; D005260:Female; D006556:Heroin Dependence / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D002189:Marijuana Abuse / Q000150:complications; D009145:Mushroom Poisoning / Q000150:complications; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects; D012997:Solvents / Q000009:adverse effects; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications*
chemical_list: D012997:Solvents; D001569:Benzodiazepines