Renal dysfunctions/injury in adult epilepsy patients treated with carbamazepine or valproate

ABSTRACT

Objectives: Clinical and subclinical laboratory evidence of renal proximal tubular dysfunction had been reported in children with epilepsy as an adverse effect of some antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). This study aimed to determine kidney function in adult patients with monosymptomatic epilepsy of unknown etiology and treated with valproate (VPA) or carbamazepine (CBZ).

Methods: This study included 60 patients [mean age of 33.97 ± 6.70 years and treated with VPA (n = 24) or CBZ (n = 36) for mean duration of treatment of 6.03 ± 2.81years. Measurements of serum creatinine (sCr), urinary creatinine, creatinine clearance (CrCl) and serum kidney injury molecule 1 (KIM-1), markers of renal dysfunction/injury were done.

Results: Compared to controls, patients had higher sCr, KIM-1 and lower CrCl levels. Compared to patients on VPA, those on CBZ had relatively higher KIM-1 and lower CrCl levels. We reported only significant correlations between KIM-1 with sCr (r = 0.324, p = 0.001) and duration of treatment with AEDs (r = 0.301, p = 0.02).

Conclusion: Chronic VPA and CBZ therapy may be associated with subclinical renal glomerular and/or proximal tubular dysfunctions or injuries. The treating neurologist have to consider this while selection of AED on start treating patients or modifying the AED for patients at high risk of kidney injury.

KEYWORDS:

• Antiepileptic drugs
• renal tubular function
• creatinine clearance
• kidney injury molecule 1

Declaration of interest

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Authors’ contribution

SAH did the conception and design of the study, the clinical evaluation of the patients, collection of patient’s data, interpretation of the data and drafting of the manuscript. TAR participated in the conception and design of the study. SMA participated in the clinical evaluation of the patients and collection of patient’s data. AOM did the laboratory work of the patients and controls.

Additional information

Funding

This manuscript was not funded.