ACUTE KIDNEY INJURY ON INTENSIVE CARE UNITS. RISK FACTORS AND MORTALITY

Introduction: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a very common complication among patients in critical conditions and it is associated with a high morbidity and mortality rate. Objectives: The aims of this study were the following: analyze the incidence, risk factors and mortality related to AKI in patients in critical conditions, as well as to determine the incidence of RRT (renal replacement therapy) requirement. Methods: A prospective cohort observational study was performed. Patients admitted to the intensive care units of the Hospital Privado Universitario de Cordoba (Private Medical College Hospital of Cordoba) in 2016, between January and March, were included. A 7-day follow-up was conducted. Results: There were 150 patients included in this study. Incidence of AKI was of 44.7% (n=67). Causes of AKI were prerenal in 70.1% (n=47) of cases; whereas 73.1% (n=49) of patients were admitted due to some pathology. Risk factors for AKI found through multivariate analysis were Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) and a high SOFA score. Adjusted for other variables, patients with CKD are four times more likely to suffer from AKI (adjusted OR=4.76; 95% CI=1.93-11.75; p=0.001), whereas for each additional point in the SOFA score, risk was 25% higher (adjusted OR=1.25; 95% CI=1.08-1.44; p=0.003). The same analysis showed that the mortality variables were the use of vasopressors and AKI. AKI patients had a mortality risk six times higher over time (adjusted HR=6.33; 95% CI=1.41-28.4, p=0.016). Conclusion: Presence of CKD and a high SOFA score were the risk factors which triggered AKI, whereas AKI was an independent risk factor for short-term mortality.