Acute Renal Failure in a Medical Setting: Changing Patterns and Prognostic Factors

The clinical characteristics of 118 patients (60 male) with acute renal failure (ARF) admitted between 1980 and 1991, were retrospectively analyzed and compared with our earlier series of the 1960s. The mean age was 53 years (16–82 years). There was a marked decline in the hypotension-related cases (43% vs. 17%, p < 0.01) and a concomitant increase in the nephro-toxic cases (5% vs. 17%, p < 0.005) in recent years. The number of ARF cases significantly decreased after 1986 (31%) compared to the pre-1986 era (69%, p<0.001). A complete (35%) or partial recovery (55%) was the rule in the majority of the patients. The overall mortality was 27%, virtually unchanged in comparison to the 1960s (30%). However, a tendency toward lower mortality was seen after 1986 (17%) in comparison to before (32%, p<0.05). Sepsis and cardiovascular complications were the leading causes of death. Fewer deaths were observed among younger patients (< 30 years, 12.5%) compared to middle-aged patients (30–59 years, 34%, p<0.05) and to...