title: Epidemiology and outcome in renal failure.
abstract: Acute renal failure (ARF) in the ICU patient usually occurs as part of a wider multiple organ dysfunction, and is associated with mortality rates of around 50%. Differences in definitions make comparing study populations difficult and moves are being made to improve uniformity, and to recognize that ARF is not a single event but a continuous process from mild renal dysfunction through to complete organ failure requiring renal replacement therapy. In this review we will discuss the epidemiology of ARF within the limitations imposed by comparing studies that use different definitions and focus on different patient populations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Intensive Care, Erasme University Hospital, Bruxelles, Belgium. jlvincen@ulb.ac.be
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Vincent
authors.forename: D Peres
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Bota
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: De Backer
mesh_terms: D058186:Acute Kidney Injury / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D009102:Multiple Organ Failure; D017582:Renal Replacement Therapy; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome