Epidemiology of acute renal failure in ICUs: a multi-center prospective study.
OBJECTIVE
Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common complication in intensive care units (ICUs). However, its incidence and outcome vary in several studies depending on definitions used or even the geographic origin of the study. We aimed to evaluate the epidemiology of AKI in ICUs in Greece.


METHODS
Prospective multicenter study of ICU patients presented with AKI during a 3-month period.


RESULTS
One-hundred and seventy patients presented with AKI (16% of total admissions in 23 ICUs). The most common contributing factor to AKI was sepsis (45%). Half of the patients required renal replacement therapy, which was mainly managed by ICU clinicians. Nearly 65% of the AKI patients died, whereas 15% were discharged with renal impairment. Age (RR 1.01, p = 0.046), sepsis (RR 1.62, p = 0.015) and urine output (RR 0.99, p = 0.009) were independently associated with outcome.


CONCLUSIONS
AKI involves a large number of patients in Greek ICUs and is associated with adverse outcomes.
Andrikos
Emilios
E
Department of Nephrology, Hatzikosta Hospital, Ioannina, Greece.
Tseke
Paraskevi
P
Balafa
Olga
O
Cruz
Dinna N
DN
Tsinta
Afrodite
A
Androulaki
Marianthi
M
Pappas
Michael
M
Ronco
Claudio
C
D058186:Acute Kidney Injury / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality* / Q000628:therapy / Q000652:urine; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006115:Greece / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D017582:Renal Replacement Therapy; D018805:Sepsis / Q000150:complications / Q000401:mortality* / Q000628:therapy / Q000652:urine