Determination of colistin-related nephrotoxicity and risk factors in intensive care unit

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Colistin is a cationic polypeptide antibiotic with a cyclic structure that belongs to the polymyxin group. It wasbanned from clinical use because of its significant renal side effects, such as nephrotoxicity. However, the administration ofcolistin has recently been initiated again in the treatment of multi-drug resistant pathogens, such as Acinetobacter baumanniiand Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Nephrotoxicity and neurotoxicity are the main problems encountered in the clinical use ofpolymyxins. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency and risk factors of colistin-related nephrotoxicity in theadult intensive care unit (ICU).METHODS: In this study, a retrospective review of patients who were followed up between January 1 and December 31,2016 and who received colistin treatment in the adult ICU was performed. Retrospective computer records of age, sex, site ofinfection and microorganism breeding, daily creatinine values, and additional diseases were recorded and examined. Nephrotoxicitywas assessed using the Risk, Injury, Failure, Loss, and End-stage kidney disease criteria.RESULTS: A total of 48 patients were included in the study. Of these, 50% were male. The mean age of the patients withnephrotoxicity was 59.73±22.38 years, and the mean age of those without nephrotoxicity was 58.00±22.39 years. A. baumanniwas observed to be the causative microorganism in all patients, and the most frequent infection was pneumonia.Nephrotoxicity was investigated in 54.2% (n=26) of the patients. In this study, when risk factors for nephrotoxicity wereevaluated, it was found that the presence of nephrotoxicity was greater in cases with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease,malignancy, or abdominal surgery in patients older than 65 years. In addition, mortality was greater in those who developednephrotoxicity, although it was not statistically significant.CONCLUSION: In this study, the rate of nephrotoxicity was 54.2% in patients who received colistin in the ICU. Therefore,patients in the adult ICU receiving colistin therapy should be carefully monitored for the development of nephrotoxicity as aside effect.