Evaluation of renal function in apparently healthy asymptomatic chronic alcoholics

Background: Association between alcohol consumption and impairment of renal function is a well-documented fact. But, limited data is available on effect of quantity of alcohol consumption on renal function. As alcoholism is also associated with other organ damage, the present study was conducted to find out the correlation between quantity of alcohol consumption and renal function. Methods: Sample:30 light,30 moderate,30 heavy alcoholic male subjects and 30 age matched non alcoholics of age between 25 & 45 years.Details about amount, type & frequency of alcohol intake and diet were gathered by history given by subjects. Blood samples were collected within 24 hours of last drink and serum creatinine, serum bilirubin, SGPT & SGOT were estimated.Creatinine clearance was calculated using Cockcroft-Gault equation. Results: Creatinine clearance showed negative correlation with quantity of alcohol intake that is significant (P<0.001) only in heavy alcoholics. Serum bilirubin, SGOT and SGPT showed variable correlation with quantity of alcohol intake that is statistically insignificant and only marginally significant in light alcoholics. Conclusion: Increasing alcohol intake up to moderate quantity does not impair renal function. But, when the alcohol intake exceed above 50g/d, there is definite evidence of impaired renal function even though there is no evidence of liver damage.This indicates that with increasing alcohol intake impairment of renal function occurs even before hepatic impairment.