Is moderate alcohol consumption a risk factor for kidney function decline? A systematic review of observational studies.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review of published observational studies on the association between alcohol consumption and renal functional impairment.


METHODS
A search of Medline and Scopus (1985 through June 2013) was performed and supplemented with manual searches of bibliographies. Of the 430 studies considered, 15 were judged eligible for this systematic review. The quality of the studies was scored using a checklist of 22 items recommended by the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology guidelines.


RESULTS
Among 12 studies on the adjusted association between moderate alcohol consumption and renal function decline, most of the studies with higher quality scores found no such association. This systematic review indicates that moderate alcohol consumption has not been demonstrated to be a risk factor for kidney function decline.


CONCLUSIONS
Although alcohol consumption in selected populations was inversely associated with renal impairment, a beneficial role of alcohol consumption on renal function has not been consistently demonstrated.
Department of Molecular Medicine, Laboratory of Public Health and Population Studies, Institute of Hygiene, University of Padova, Padova, Italy. Electronic address: alessandra.buja@unipd.it.
Alessandra
A
Buja
Department of Molecular Medicine, Laboratory of Public Health and Population Studies, Institute of Hygiene, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
Angela
A
Vinelli
Department of Molecular Medicine, Laboratory of Public Health and Population Studies, Institute of Hygiene, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
Camilla
C
Lion
World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Research and Health Promotion on Alcohol and Alcohol-Related Health Problems, Italian National Observatory on Alcohol, Population Health and Health Determinants Unit (CNESPS-ISS), Roma, Italy.
Emanuele
E
Scafato
Department of Molecular Medicine, Laboratory of Public Health and Population Studies, Institute of Hygiene, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
Vincenzo
V
Baldo
D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D064887:Observational Studies as Topic; D051437:Renal Insufficiency / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D012307:Risk Factors