Article Date: 09 Dec 2011 - 2:00 PST
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Most patients with an abrupt kidney injury that does not get better do not see a kidney specialist within a year, according to a study appearing in an upcoming issue of the Journal of the American Society Nephrology (JASN). The findings indicate that efforts are needed to identify and treat kidney injury patients who require subsequent care.
Acute kidney injury (AKI), an abrupt or rapid decline in kidney function, is an increasingly prevalent condition that can seriously affect individuals' health and survival. Sometimes AKI arises due to medical or surgical complications that deprive the kidneys of a normal blood flow for extended periods of time. That explains why AKI often arises in patients who are hospitalized.
Because the kidneys can often recover from AKI, most patients can resume a normal life after treatment; however, they often remain at increased risk of developing kidney disease in the future.
Edward Siew, MD, Michael Matheny, MD (Vanderbilt University Medical Center and Tennessee Valley Healthcare System Veterans Administration) and their colleagues wondered whether patients who experience AKI during hospitalization receive enough attention paid to their future risk of developing kidney problems.
From a US Department of Veterans Affairs database, the researchers identified 3,929 survivors of AKI who were hospitalized between January 2003 and December 2008 and who continued to have poor kidney function a month after their injury.
Among the major findings over a one-year surveillance period:
22% of patients died.
Only 8.5% of patients were referred to a kidney specialist before dying, starting dialysis, or experiencing an improvement in kidney function.
Patients' severity of AKI did not affect whether or not they were referred.
"This study shows that only a minority of patients who do not recover their kidney function after an AKI event are seen by a kidney specialist, highlighting an important opportunity for a more integrated approach in maintaining the kidney health of these patients," said Dr. Matheny. "The findings also underscore the need for more research to help identify those patients who are at highest risk for persistent kidney problems and who might benefit from the input of a kidney specialist," he added. Study co-authors include Josh Peterson, MD, Adriana Hung, Theodore Speroff, PhD (Tennessee Valley Healthcare System Veterans Administration and Vanderbilt University Medical Center); Svetlana Eden, and T. Alp Ikizler, MD (Vanderbilt University Medical Center).
Disclosures: The authors reported no financial disclosures.
The content of this article does not reflect the views or opinions of The American Society of Nephrology (ASN). Responsibility for the information and views expressed therein lies entirely with the author(s). ASN does not offer medical advice. All content in ASN publications is for informational purposes only, and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions, or adverse effects. This content should not be used during a medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health care provider if you have any questions about a medical condition, or before taking any drug, changing your diet or commencing or discontinuing any course of treatment. Do not ignore or delay obtaining professional medical advice because of information accessed through ASN. Call 911 or your doctor for all medical emergencies.
Article adapted by Medical News Today from original press release. Source: American Society of NephrologyVisit our urology / nephrology section for the latest news on this subject. American Society of Nephrology Please use one of the following formats to cite this article in your essay, paper or report:
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9 Dec. 2011.
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