Background: It is well-known that development of acute kidney injury (AKI) in hospitalized patients is associated with adverse outcomes. However, estimates of adverse outcomes in these patients has not been well-characterized. Reliable and accurate estimates are essential to understand the impact of AKI and for resource utilization. The objective of this study is to examine clinical outcomes of hospitalized patients with acute kidney injury.
Methods: Vizient database is an administrative database and was utilized for the study with the help of ICD-10 codes. Patients hospitalized between 2015-2017 with a diagnosis of acute renal failure were included in the study. Outcome variables analyzed included mortality, length of hospitalization, direct costs and ICU utilization.
Results: A total of 176,643 patients were included in the study. Mean length of stay was 5.37 days and observed mortality 2.28%. ICU utilization was noted in 10.32% patients. Few gender differences were noted in outcomes. Men had significantly shorter length of stay (5.30 ± 6.14 days in male vs. 5.45 ± 6.24 days in female; p<0.0001) but higher ICU admission (10.78% in male vs 9.80% in female; p<0.0001). Costs and mortality showed no significant gender differences. With respect to age, higher costs ($ 6200) and length of stay (5.48 days) was noted in 51-74 years age group. Mortality was highest in >75 years age group compared to younger age groups (3.36% in >75 years vs 0.89% in 18-50 years; p<0.0001). African-Americans showed higher length of stay 5.48 ± 6.37 days in African-Americans vs 5.29 ± 6.02 days in Caucasians; p<0.0001) but costs were highest in Asians ($ 6619).
Conclusions: This study examined outcomes of acute renal failure in hospitalized patients. Few gender differences were noted in the study. As age increased, mortality increased but higher costs and length of stay was noted in 51-74 years age group. Racial disparities in outcomes were noted as well with Asians and African-Americans having worse outcomes than Caucasians.