Korean J Fam Med.  2017 Jul;38(4):192-198. 10.4082/kjfm.2017.38.4.192.

Effect of Fenofibrate Medication on Renal Function

• Kim S
• Ko K
• Park S
• Lee DR
• Lee J

• KMID: 2390339
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4082/kjfm.2017.38.4.192

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Fibrates are widely used to treat hypertriglyceridemia, a risk factor for arteriosclerosis, but these compounds have been associated with renal dysfunction. This study aimed to investigate the effects of fibrates on renal function in relatively healthy adult subjects with no cardiovascular diseases.
METHODS
This retrospective study included 558 outpatients who were prescribed 160 mg fenofibrate (fenofibrate group) or 10 mg atorvastatin (control group) between August 2007 and October 2015. The groups were randomly matched using propensity scores at a 1:1 ratio. Serum creatinine levels and estimated glomerular filtration rates before and after treatment were compared between the two groups.
RESULTS
Patients in the fenofibrate group showed greater changes in serum creatinine levels than those in the control group (9.73%±9.83% versus −0.89%±7.37%, P<0.001). Furthermore, 55.1% of patients in the fenofibrate group, but only 6.1% of those in the control group, exhibited a serum creatinine level increase ≥0.1 mg/dL (P<0.001). The fenofibrate group showed significantly greater declines in the estimated glomerular filtration rate than the control group (−10.1%±9.48% versus 1.42%±9.42%, P<0.001). Moreover, 34.7% of the fenofibrate group, but only 4.1% of the control group, exhibited an estimated glomerular filtration rate decrease ≥10 mL/min·1.73 m² (P<0.001).
CONCLUSION
Fenofibrate treatment resulted in increased serum creatinine levels and reduced estimated glomerular filtration rates in a primary care setting. Therefore, regular renal function monitoring should be considered essential during fibrate administration.

Keyword

Fibric Acids; Hypertriglyceridemia; Creatinine; Glomerular Filtration Rate; Propensity Score

MeSH Terms

Adult
Arteriosclerosis
Atorvastatin Calcium
Cardiovascular Diseases
Creatinine
Fenofibrate*
Fibric Acids
Glomerular Filtration Rate
Humans
Hypertriglyceridemia
Outpatients
Primary Health Care
Propensity Score
Retrospective Studies
Risk Factors
Atorvastatin Calcium
Creatinine
Fenofibrate
Fibric Acids