Long Term Prognosis after Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) - What is the Role of Baseline Kidney Function and Recovery? A Systematic Review

Simon Sawhney, Mhairi Mitchell, Angharad Marks, Nicholas Fluck, Corri Black

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

122 Citations (Scopus)
12 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract


Objectives To summarise the evidence from studies of acute kidney injury (AKI) with regard to the effect of pre-AKI renal function and post-AKI renal function recovery on long-term mortality and renal outcomes, and to assess whether these factors should be taken into account in future prognostic studies.

Design/Setting A systematic review of observational studies listed in Medline and EMBASE from 1990 to October 2012.

Participants All AKI studies in adults with data on baseline kidney function to identify AKI; with outcomes either stratified by pre-AKI and/or post-AKI kidney function, or described by the timing of the outcomes.

Outcomes Long-term mortality and worsening chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Results Of 7385 citations, few studies met inclusion criteria, reported baseline kidney function and stratified by pre-AKI or post-AKI function. For mortality outcomes, three studies compared patients by pre-AKI renal function and six by post-AKI function. For CKD outcomes, two studies compared patients by pre-AKI function and two by post-AKI function. The presence of CKD pre-AKI (compared with AKI alone) was associated with doubling of mortality and a fourfold to fivefold increase in CKD outcomes. Non-recovery of kidney function was associated with greater mortality and CKD outcomes in some studies, but findings were inconsistent varying with study design. Two studies also reported that risk of poor outcome reduced over time post-AKI. Meta-analysis was precluded by variations in definitions for AKI, CKD and recovery.

Conclusions The long-term prognosis after AKI varies depending on cause and clinical setting, but it may also, in part, be explained by underlying pre-AKI and post-AKI renal function rather than the AKI episode itself. While carefully considered in clinical practice, few studies address these factors and with inconsistent study design. Future AKI studies should report pre-AKI and post-AKI function consistently as additional factors that may modify AKI prognosis.
Original languageEnglish
Article numbere006497
Number of pages11
JournalBMJ Open
Volume5
Issue number1
Early online date6 Jan 2015
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 6 Jan 2015

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Long Term Prognosis after Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) - What is the Role of Baseline Kidney Function and Recovery? A Systematic Review'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this