Trends of analgesic nephropathy in two high-endemic regions with differentlegislation

Analgesic abuse is related to a specific form of interstitial nephritis, bu t the exact nature of the causal agent remains controversial and this has r esulted in differences in regulation. In Flanders, the free sale of phenace tin was banned, but the consumption of other combined analgesics remained f ree. In New South Wales, phenacetin was also banned, but 2 yr later the sal es of all combined analgesics were also prohibited. This study compared the evolution of end-stage renal disease as a result of analgesic nephropathy (AN) in these two high-endemic regions with different legislation. In both regions, the time trend of the age-specific incidence of end-stage renal di sease as a result of AN is similar in the age group 45 to 54 yr. In all age groups combined, the time trend of the percentage of AN among the patients admitted for renal replacement therapy is also similar. This finding does not support the hypothesis that non-phenacetin mixed analgesics play a sign ificant role in the occurrence of AN.