Relation of alcohol intake to kidney function and mortality

A population-based study investigated associations of alcohol intake with kidney function and mortality.
The study cohort included adult participants in Exam-1, Exam-2 (6-year follow-up), and Exam-3 (20-year follow-up) of the Gubbio study. Kidney function was evaluated as estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Daily habitual alcohol intake was assessed by questionnaires. Wine intake accounted for >94% of total alcohol intake at all exams. Alcohol intake distribution was divided into four strata for analyses (g/day = 0, 1-24, 25-48, and >48).
Analyses found that intake related cross-sectionally to eGFR at all exams and related longitudinally to less negative eGFR change. Compared to no intake, intakes > 24 g/day were not associated with different mortality while an intake of 1-24 g/day was associated with lower mortality in the whole cohort (HR = 0.77) and in the subgroup with decreased eGFR (HR = 0.69).
This observational cohort study reports that a higher alcohol intake in the form of wine was related cross-sectionally to a higher eGFR and longitudinally to a lesser eGFR decline during an observation period ranging from 6 to 20 years. These results support the hypothesis that the intake of wine could have favorable effects against the decline in kidney function associated with ageing without implying an increased rate of mortality.
Source: Cirillo M, Bilancio G, Secondulfo C, Iesce G, Ferrara C, Terradura-Vagnarelli O, Laurenzi M. Relation of Alcohol Intake to Kidney Function and Mortality Observational, Population-Based, Cohort Study. Nutrients. 2022 Mar 18;14(6):1297. doi.org/10.3390/nu14061297.