Incidence of intravenous colistin nephrotoxicity in hospitalized patients

Objectives. The increase in infections with multidrug resistant bacteria has forced to return to the use of colistin, antibiotic with known nephrotoxicity. The aim of the study is to determine the incidence of colistin nephrotoxicity nowadays. Material and methods. Retrospective-observational-unicentric study was collected hospitalized patients in intravenous colistin treatment during the years 2018-2019. Nephrotoxicity was defined according to the RIFLE scale. The variables to determine it were serum creatinine (sCr) and glomerular filtration (GF). The variables analyzed were age, sex, treatment duration, loading and cumulative dose, empirical/targeted treatment, chronic kidney disease, concomitant use of intravenous contrast and nephrotoxic drugs. Results. A total of 90 patients (60% men) were included, with an average age of 58.2 +/- 18.1 years. The mean duration of treatment was 9 +/- 8.3 days, with an average cumulative dose of 69.8 +/- 71MU. There were no differences between sCr and GF at the beginning and end of treatment. The incidence of nephrotoxicity was 1.73 cases/100 days of treatment (prevalence of 15.56%). Conclusions. Colistin nephrotoxicity has an important incidence, without developing severe illness.