The Potential Role of Acetaminophen and Alcohol in Early Stage Renal Disease: A Bayesian Perspective

Abstract

In earlier studies, both acetaminophen [AAM] and ethanol [EtOH] have been implicated in renal dysfunction when ingested in variable quantities over a prolonged duration. To determine the potential role of AAM and EtOH on Early Stage Renal Disease [ErSRD], the contribution of threshold dosages of AAM and of light to moderate intakes of EtOH were investigated, and the results analyzed by Bayesian Statistical Methods based on Baye's Theorem. The results of information obtained from the US National Health Examination Survey [2003–3004] were examined, and the data updated with data from a newly designed hospital based case control study conducted in the sub‐Saharan African Region. The results of this study found that renal disease, as determined by measurements of serum creatinine [CTNE], blood urea nitrogen [BUN], Glomerular Filtration Rate [GFR], albumin/creatinine ratios [A/CTNE ratio] values of 0.70 mg/dl, 10.0 mg/dl, 17.0 mg/g, and 135.0 ml/minute/1.73m2, respectively, may occur, marked by statistically significant odds ratios among those who concomitantly ingested therapeutic doses of AAM and ingested light to moderate amounts of EtOH when compared to those who did not ingest the above agents. While light to moderate ingestion of EtOH may not by itself play a significant role, the combination of the two agents appeared to have a synergistic effect on the early development of renal disease in his population. This this study provided both methodological and non‐methodological factors to be considered in the design and implementation of larger scale epidemiologic studies on the interaction of AAM and EtOH on the development of ErSRD.Support or Funding InformationSupported by Institutional Resources of USAT College of Medicine and the Einstein Institute