Health Care Access, Socioeconomic Status, and Acute Kidney Injury Outcomes: A Prospective National Study.

ABSTRACT

Rationale & Objectives: Acute kidney injury (AKI) incidence and outcome in Kuwait are unknown. Moreover, non-Kuwaitis, who represent 66% of the population, have lower income, and their access to public health services is restricted compared with Kuwaitis who have free full access. Study Design: Observational prospective multicenter cohort study. Setting & Participants: Adult inpatients with AKI in 7 public hospitals from January 1 to December 31, 2021. Exposure AKI identified using Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes serum creatinine-based criteria. Outcomes: For hospitalized patients with AKI, the outcomes included 30-day outcomes of mortality, need for dialysis, kidney recovery rates, and differences in outcomes between Kuwaitis and non-Kuwaitis. Analytical Approach: A backward stepwise multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to assess possible independent risk factors for the outcomes. Results: We recruited 3,744 patients (mean age 63 years; mean baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR] 66.7 mL/min; non-Kuwaitis 42.3%), representing 3.2% of hospitalizations and 19.5% of intensive care unit (ICU) admissions. Non-Kuwaitis were significantly younger (57.6 vs 66.9 years), with higher baseline eGFR (73.1 vs. 62 mL/min), more frequent community acquired AKI (53.8% vs 46.7%), and AKI in summer (34.7% vs 26.9%). Dialysis was provided to 33.5% of patients, with a higher need for non-Kuwaitis (35.5% vs 32.1%). At 30 days, 34.4% of patients died, representing 24.8% of hospital mortality and 59.8% of ICU mortality. No differences in mortality or kidney recovery were noted between Kuwaitis and non-Kuwaitis. Low eGFR did not affect the mortality rate. Limitations: Observational nature and short follow-up period of 30 days only. Conclusions: AKI was associated with high dialysis need and mortality. Non-Kuwaitis accounted for less cases despite representing 66% of the population because they were younger with higher baseline eGFR and fewer comorbid conditions. Non-Kuwaitis had higher rates of community acquired AKI and AKI in summer and a higher need for dialysis but had similar mortality and complete kidney recovery rates.

Incidences of acute kidney injury (AKI), its management, and its outcomes are unknown in Kuwait. In addition, Kuwait has a large population of ethnically diverse expatriates who have lower income and do not enjoy the same level of access to public hospital services. We recruited hospitalized adults who have a diagnosis of AKI in several public hospitals in Kuwait. We analyzed characteristics, management, and outcomes data for more than 3,700 patients and found that AKI affects 3.2% of hospitalized patients. AKI leads to high dialysis utilization rates and causes high mortality rates. Although more Kuwaitis were affected by AKI, the mortality rates for Kuwaitis and non-Kuwaitis were similar. Non-Kuwaitis were younger with better baseline kidney function and fewer chronic diseases than Kuwaitis.