Lithium therapy linked to increased risk of chronic kidney disease

January 16, 2025

Clinical impact: Patients on lithium therapy for mood disorders have an increased risk of stage 3 or higher chronic kidney disease (CKD), influenced by blood lithium levels. Other risk factors include age, initial eGFR, and comorbidities. Study authors recommend careful monitoring of blood lithium concentrations and use of the lowest effective dose for adequate mood stabilization in order to mitigate the risk of CKD.

Study details: This nationwide retrospective cohort study in Iceland investigated the risk of CKD in individuals undergoing lithium therapy. Researchers analyzed medical records from a comprehensive national database, comparing CKD incidence in patients on lithium therapy with those not on lithium.

Results: Individuals on lithium therapy had a significantly higher incidence of CKD (10.4%) compared with the control group (3.0%; hazard ratio, 1.90; 95% confidence interval, 1.32-2.75). The risk of developing CKD was notably elevated in patients with prolonged lithium use.

Source:

Gislason G, et al. (2024, December). Lancet Psychiatry. Risk of chronic kidney disease in individuals on lithium therapy in Iceland: a nationwide retrospective cohort study. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39572104/