Effect of alcohol consumption on kidney function: population-based cohort study

• Published in: Scientific reports Vol. 11; no. 1; p. 2381
• Main Authors: Lee, Yu-Ji, Cho, Seong, Kim, Sung Rok
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Nature Publishing Group UK 27-01-2021; Nature Publishing Group; Nature Portfolio
• Subjects: 692/4022; 692/499; 692/700; Alcohol use; Alcoholic beverages; Alcohols; Binge drinking; Cohort analysis; Drinking behavior; Epidemiology; Epidermal growth factor receptors; Genomes; Glomerular filtration rate; Humanities and Social Sciences; Kidneys; multidisciplinary; Population studies; Population-based studies; Science; Science (multidisciplinary)
• ISSN: 2045-2322; 2045-2322
• DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-81777-5

The association between alcohol consumption and kidney function is intriguing, but study results are mixed and controversial. We examined the association of alcohol consumption with the overall change in kidney function over 12 years. We analyzed data from a population-based cohort that was part of the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study. Primary exposure was total alcohol intake (non-drinkers, 0 to < 10 g/day, 10 to < 30 g/day, and ≥ 30 g/day). Main outcome was decline in kidney function over 12 years. Our study included 5729 participants (mean [SD] age, 51 [8] years; 46% males). Compared to non-drinkers, higher alcohol intake groups had lesser reduction in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) over 12 years; fully adjusted beta coefficients and 95% confidence intervals were 0.45 (− 0.27, 1.18), 1.87 (0.88, 2.87), and 3.08 (1.93, 4.24) for participants with alcohol intake of < 10, 10 to < 30, and ≥ 30 g/day, respectively. However, this association was attenuated among women, smoker, and age ≥ 60 year. Compared with not drinking, more frequent alcohol consumption and binge drinking were associated with lesser reduction in eGFR. Our findings suggest that alcohol consumption may have a favorable effect on kidney function among the general population.