Analgesic nephropathy and renal morbidity and mortality, 1971-1972

In order to assess the impact of analgesic abuse upon the mortality of the general population and to determine changes in the incidence of renal damage due to the alteration of proprietary analgesic consumption, an autopsy survey was conducted. This involved the examination of kidneys, collection of information on analgesic consumption of the deceased and collection of epidemiological data. Information on analgesic consumption was collected by means of a questionnaire mailed to next of kin a few weeks after the autopsy. It asked whether the deceased had been in the habit of taking analgesics with or without phenacitin on a daily basis and if so, at what dose rate and for what total period. Other data included occupation, personal habits and intake of fluids and salt.