Assessment of Risks for Renal Dysfunction: An Approach towards Light to Moderate Drinking and Therapeutic Doses of Acetaminophen

This study investigated the effects of therapeutic dosages of acetaminophen (APAP) combined with light-moderate levels of alcohol on kidney function while adjusting for variables including hypertension, diabetes, and obesity that could make the kidney more susceptible to APAP and/or alcohol toxicity. The study was a secondary data analysis of the 2003–2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) comparing the likelihood that individuals who ingested therapeutic doses of APAP and light-moderate amount of alcohol, compared to those who did not, would have kidney dysfunction were generated from multiple logistics regression models by further controlling for potential predisposing factors namely hypertension, diabetes and obesity. Statistically significant increased odds of renal dysfunction were noted among re-spondents who reported use of therapeutic doses of APAP and light-moderate amount of alcohol [OR(95% CI) = 1.64(1.28–2.10) self-report, 2.18(1.81–2.63) SCr, 4.60(3.03–7.00) BUN, 3.14(2.42–4.07) GFR, and 1.71(1.36–2.14) ALBCR)] even after adjusting for hypertension, diabetes and obesity [Adjusted OR (95% CI) = 1.78 (1.22–2.58) self-report, 2.05 (1.07–3.92) GFR]. The toxic effects of APAP and alcohol on the kidney were hypothesized. The threshold doses at which these effects begin to occur are unknown. The findings of this study suggest that even therapeutic doses of APAP and light-moderate amount of alcohol could be health pro-blematic if consumed concomitantly. This study highlights a very important public health concern as many adults are potentially exposed to both APAP and alcohol. The findings may have potential health policy implications. We further explored the potential impact of factors such as hypertension, diabetes, and obesity that may predispose the kidney to APAP and/or alcohol toxicity.