Clinical Profile and Outcome of Patients with Acute Kidney Injury Requiring Hemodialysis: Two Years' Experience at a Tertiary Hospital in Rwanda

INTRODUCTION: Acute kidney injury (AKI) requiring renal replacement therapy is associated with high mortality. The study assessed the impact of the introduction of hemodialysis (HD) on outcomes of patients with AKI in Rwanda. METHODS: A single center retrospective study that evaluated the clinical profile and survival outcomes of patients with AKI requiring HD [AKI-D] at a tertiary hospital in Rwanda. Data was collected on patients who received HD for AKI from September 2014 to December 2016. Patient demographics, comorbidities, clinical presentation, laboratory tests, and mortality were reviewed and analyzed. Predictors of mortality were assessed using age and gender adjusted multivariate analyses. RESULTS: Of the 82 eligible patients, median age was 38 years (IQR 28–57 years). Males comprised 51% of the cohort. Infectious diseases including malaria, pneumonia, and sepsis (35.1%) and pregnancy-related conditions (26.9%) were the most frequent comorbidities. Pulmonary oedema (54.9%) and uremic encephalopathy (50%) were top indications for HD. Mortality was 34.1%. On multivariate analysis, receipt of <5 sessions of HD (OR = 4.01, 95% CI 1.185–13.61, P = 0.026) and hyperkalemia (OR = 3.23, 95% CI 1.040–10.065, P = 0.043) were associated with mortality. CONCLUSION: The availability of acute hemodialysis in Rwanda has resulted in improved patient survival and persistent hyperkalemia predicted higher mortality.