Acute Kidney Injury in the Medical ICU: Incidence, Etiology and Outcomes

Introduction: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a frequent complication in critically ill patients. This prospective observational study investigated the incidence, etiology, clinical features, and outcomes of AKI in the medical intensive care unit (MICU) at NAMS Bir Hospital. Methods: All patients admitted to the MICU from January 2014 to December 2014 were included. AKI was defined using KDIGO criteria. Results: AKI occurred in 38.4% of MICU admissions. Sepsis was the leading cause (42.3%), followed by hypovolemia (28.1%). Dialysis requirement was 24.7%. MICU mortality in AKI patients was 45.2% vs 18.1% in non-AKI patients. Conclusions: AKI is highly prevalent in the MICU and carries significant mortality. Early identification and aggressive management are crucial.