Aggravation of diabetic nephropathy by lithium: a case report and review of the literature

J Clin Psychiatry. 1989 Mar;50(3):101-3.

Abstract

A manic-depressive diabetic man receiving lithium carbonate therapy had massive proteinuria, which dramatically improved after the withdrawal of lithium. The authors discuss previous cases of lithium-induced nephrotic syndrome in nondiabetics and draw attention to the possibility that lithium therapy aggravates protein excretion in diabetic patients.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Bipolar Disorder / drug therapy
  • Diabetic Nephropathies / chemically induced*
  • Humans
  • Kidney Glomerulus / pathology
  • Lithium / adverse effects*
  • Lithium Carbonate
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nephrotic Syndrome / chemically induced*
  • Nephrotic Syndrome / pathology

Substances

  • Lithium Carbonate
  • Lithium