Decline in kidney function greater with longer exposure to lithium

Research using data from two cohort studies in Sweden has concluded that after 10 years of exposure to lithium, risk of decline in kidney function in patients with bipolar disorder or schizoaffective disorder increases considerably compared with patients exposed for shorter periods or the general population. The study found that neither disorder is an independent risk factor for renal impairment. Results were published online Sept. 12, 2022, in Lancet Psychiatry.