Lithium use in elderly tied to significant decline of renal function, finds study

The researchers conducted a population-based cohort study using linked health care databases (Ontario, Canada). The cohort consisted of older adults (mean age 71 years) accrued 2007–2015; 3,113 lithium users were propensity-score matched 1:1 to 3,113 valproate users. They then further examined users with higher (> 0.7 mmol/L) or lower concentrations of serum lithium.

The primary outcome was ≥ a 30% loss in estimated glomerular filtration rate from baseline. 

"In older adults, lithium use is associated with a statistically significant increased risk of renal decline compared to valproate use, although the decline is less than previously reported. Further studies should confirm whether this effect is primarily in patients with higher serum lithium concentrations," concluded the authors.

The study, "Association of Lithium Use and a Higher Serum Concentration of Lithium With the Risk of Declining Renal Function in Older Adults: A Population-Based Cohort Study," is published in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.4088/JCP.19m13045