Acute kidney injury in elderly patients: narrative review on incidence, risk factors, and mortality.

Acute kidney injury in elderly patients: narrative review on incidence, risk factors, and mortality. Int J Nephrol Renovasc Dis. 2018;11:217-224 Authors: Yokota LG, Sampaio BM, Rocha EP, Balbi AL, Sousa Prado IR, Ponce D Abstract Acute kidney injury (AKI) is characterized by a sudden renal dysfunction with consequent increase of nitrogenous products, hydroelectrolytic and acid-base disorders. Its prevalence is high in hospitalized populations (4.9%-7.2%), especially in intensive care units (ICUs). Despite all the technical and therapeutic advances that have occurred in the last few decades, the overall mortality of AKI patients remains high, reaching 80% in ICU patients. Several conditions predispose a patient to progress with AKI, including age, sepsis, surgeries, and comorbidities, such as systemic arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus, heart disease, neoplasia, and chronic renal disease. Among these risk factors, age is emphasized, since, due to advances in the health area, there has been an increase in life expectancy, hence an increase in the demand of the elderly population for health services. At the same time, the elderly present a greater predisposition to the development of AKI, either due to kidney senility, or because of the high prevalence of comorbidities present, and medical interventions such as the use of contrasts and medications, which can also trigger AKI. Considering the relevance of the social role of the eld...
Source: International Journal of Nephrology and Renovascular Disease - Category: Urology & Nephrology Tags: Int J Nephrol Renovasc Dis Source Type: research