Acute Kidney Injury among Patients Visiting the Nephrology Unit in a Tertiary Care Centre: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study

INTRODUCTION: Acute kidney injury is an abrupt decline in renal function often associated with a decrease in urine output. It is the leading cause of in-hospital mortality worldwide with prolonged hospital stays, the requirement of mechanical ventilation and short-term dialysis. The aim of the study was to find out the prevalence of acute kidney injury among patients visiting the Nephrology unit in a tertiary care centre. METHODS: This descriptive cross-sectional study was done among patients presented to the Nephrology Unit of the Department of Internal Medicine in a tertiary centre from 9 February 2022 to 21 October 2022. Ethical approval was taken from Institutional Review Committee (Reference number: UCMS/ IRC/047/22). Data was collected from hospital records and the outcome was recorded in terms of in-hospital mortality and the requirement for renal replacement therapy. Convenience sampling was done. Point estimate and 95% Confidence Interval were calculated. RESULTS: Among 1848 patients, 113 (6.12%) (5.03-7.21, 95% Confidence Interval) had acute kidney injury. About 38 (32.75%) required inotropes whereas 10 (8.85%) required mechanical ventilation. In-hospital all-cause mortality was seen in 14 (12.39%) of the study population and 20 (17.70%) of the study population required renal replacement therapy. The most common cause of acute kidney injury was infection pneumonia followed by acute gastrointestinal infections were the most common infective aetiology. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of acute kidney injury was found to be lower than the studies done in similar settings. It is common in patients admitted with infection. It is responsible for in-hospital mortality.