Colistin Nephrotoxicity in Adults: Single Centre Large Series from India

CONTEXT: Limited Indian data are available on the rate of colistin nephrotoxicity and other risk factors contributing to the development of this important side effect. AIM: This study aims to generate data on colistin nephrotoxicity from a large cohort of Indian patients. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Case record analysis of patients who received colistin, in an oncology center in India, between January 2011 and December 2015. Nephrotoxicity was assessed using risk, injury, failure, loss, and end-stage (RIFLE) criteria. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: P < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. RESULTS: Out of the 229 patients, 13.1% (30/229) developed abnormal RIFLE. Abnormal RIFLE group (n = 30), in comparison to the normal renal function group (n = 199), had higher number of patients in intensive care unit (ICU) (96% vs. 79%, P = 0.02), higher Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE II) score (23 vs. 19 P = 0.0001), Charlson score (5.9 vs. 4.3, P = 0.001), mechanical ventilation (90% vs. 67%, P = 0.016), 28 days mortality (63% vs. 25%, P = 0.0001), and abnormal baseline creatinine (36% vs. 8%, P = 0.001). Coadministration of vancomycin had higher rates of nephrotoxicity (P = 0.039). There was no significant difference in nephrotoxicity between 6 and 9 MU/day dosing pattern (8.8% vs. 13.8%, P = 0.058). CONCLUSION: Nephrotoxicity rate in our retrospective single center large series of patients receiving colistin was 13.1%. Patients with abnormal baseline creatinine, ICU stay, and higher disease severity are at higher risk of nephrotoxicity while on colistin. A daily dose of 9 million does not significantly increase nephrotoxicity compared to the 6 million. Concomitant administration of vancomycin with colistin increases the risk of nephrotoxicity.