Incidence, Risk Factors, and Prognostic Implications of Acute Kidney Injury in Patients with Acute Exacerbation of COPD

Purpose Little is known about the incidence, risk factors, and prognostic implications of acute kidney injury (AKI) in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) in China. In this study, we investigated the incidence, risk factors, and short-term outcomes of AKI in these patients. Patients and Methods We analyzed the records of 1768 patients admitted to Nanjing First Hospital with a principal diagnosis of AECOPD. Of these, 377 patients had AKI. Results AKI occurred in 377 patients (21%). Independent risk factors for AKI in patients with AECOPD were advanced age, coronary artery disease, anemia, cancer, chronic kidney disease, hypercapnic encephalopathy, acute respiratory failure, and mechanical ventilation. Patients with AKI had worse prognostic implications and were more likely to require mechanical ventilation (38.7% vs 19.1%, P<0.001); non-invasive mechanical ventilation (38.2% vs 18.9%, P<0.001); invasive mechanical ventilation (18.3% vs 3.1%, P<0.001); intensive care unit (ICU) admission (33.7% vs 12.9%, P<0.001); had a longer ICU stay (9 days vs 8 days, P=0.033) and longer hospitalization (13 days vs 10 days, P<0.001); and higher in-hospital mortality (18.0% vs 2.7%, P<0.001) than those without AKI. Multivariable analysis indicated that compared to patients without AKI, those with stage 1, 2, or 3 AKI had a 1.9-fold, 2.1-fold, or 6.0-fold increased risk of in-hospital death, respectively. Conclusion AKI is common in patients with AECOPD requiring hospitalization. Patients with AKI have worse short-term outcomes. Thus, AKI may be a prognostic predictor of patient survival.