The Relationship of Alcohol Consumption with Renal Parenchymal and Cortical Thickness: A Sonographic Study

Abstract Introduction: Renal parenchymal thickness, renal cortical thickness, and bipolar length (BL) serve as accurate indicators of chronic renal disease, therefore containing great clinical significance. A study of the direct effect of alcohol consumption on renal parameters is currently not available. Accurate analysis of sonographic renal parameters aids in correlating underlying patterns of subject’s susceptibility to kidney disease due to alcohol consumption. Methodology: One hundred and twelve subjects aged between 18 and 60 years were identified at our hospital, and informed consent was taken. By using the alcohol use disorders identification test screening questionnaire, subjects were grouped into alcoholic and nonalcoholic groups and further into risk-free level and at-risk level of drinking. The renal parameters were measured by ultrasonography. The data collected were analyzed statistically. Patterns regarding associations of alcohol consumption with renal parameters were identified. Results: The study showed a correlation between parameters of the kidney, such as BL, renal parenchymal and cortical thickness, with alcohol consumption. It demonstrates that with regular consumption of alcohol, there is a reduction of renal parameters, hence an increased risk for chronic kidney disease. Conclusion: In individuals consuming alcohol with no other illness or comorbidity, it is proven that kidney disease can be predicted by ultrasonographic measurement of renal parameters. There was no correlation of alcohol consumption with renal parameters between the risk-free level and the at-risk level of alcohol consumption.