Epidemiology, patterns of care and prognosis of acute kidney injury in critically ill patients: A multicenter study in Argentina (The EPIRA study)

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is associated with high morbidity and mortality rates in the intensive care unit (ICU). In low-and middle-income countries (LMICs), epidemiological information about this condition is still scarce. Our main objective was to characterize its epidemiology, prognosis, and its treatment.Methods: This multicenter prospective cohort study included 1466 patients from 35 ICUs during 6 months in Argentina in 2018. Risk factors and outcomes in patients with and without AKI, and between AKI on admission (AKIadm) and that developed during hospitalization (AKIhosp) were analyzed.Results: AKI occurred in 61.3% of patients (900/1466); 72.6% were AKIadm and 27.3% AKIhosp. Risk factors were age, BMI, arterial hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, SOFA, APACHE II, dehydration, sepsis, vasopressor use, radiocontrast, diuresis/h and mechanical ventilation. Independent predictors for AKI were sepsis, diabetes, dehydration, vasopressors on admission, APACHE II and radiocontrast use. Renal replacement therapies (RRT) requirement in AKI patients was 14.8%. Hospital mortality in AKI vs. non-AKI was 38.7% and 23.3% (p < 0.001); and in AKIadm vs. AKIhosp, 41.2% and 37.8% (p = 0.53).Conclusions: ICU-acquired AKI has high incidence, complications and mortality. Risk factors for AKI and RRT utilization were similar to those described in other epidemiological studies. AKIadm was more frequent than AKIhosp, but had equal prognosis.