Differences in community, hospital and intensive care unit-acquired acute kidney injury: observational study in a nephrology service of a developing country.

BACKGROUND: Acute kidney injury (AKI) complicates more than 7% of all in-hospital patients. The aim of this study is to investigate the differences in community, hospital and intensive care unit-acquired AKI in patients undergoing nephrology consultation in a tertiary hospital in a developing country. METHODS: An observational cohort study of all patients with AKI admitted to the General Hospital of Fortaleza, Brazil was conducted. RIFLE criteria were used to classify the patients and to assess their association with death. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to investigate the factors associated with death. RESULTS: Of 491 AKI patients undergoing nephrology consultation, the mean age was 55.2 ± 22.9 years. Community-acquired AKI was observed in 55% of cases, general ward-acquired in 29% and ICU-acquired in 15.3%. Late Nephrology consultation was observed, and the great majority of patients had "Failure" classification (90%) according to RIFLE criteria. Intermittent hemodialysis was required in 68% of cases. The overall in-hospital mortality was 23%. The in-hospital mortality was higher in ICU-acquired AKI (33.6%). Community acquired AKI had a higher mortality than general ward-acquired AKI (23% vs. 11.6%, p = 0.001). Risk factors for death were infection (OR = 2.0, p = 0.003), neoplasms (OR = 1.89, p = 0.042), community acquired-AKI (OR = 1.27, p = 0.003), ICU acquired-AKI (OR = 2.76, p < 0.0001) and need for renal replacement therapy (OR = 2.64, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: AKI is a frequent and frequently fatal condition. Mortality was higher in community and ICU-acquired than hospital ward-acquired AKI.

Acute kidney injury due to anabolic steroid and vitamin supplement abuse: report of two cases and a literature review.

BACKGROUND: The use of anabolic steroids and vitamin supplements has reached alarming proportions in the last decades. Adverse effects have been documented and include virilization, feminization, adverse lipid profile, psychiatric disorders, cardiac and liver disease. Acute kidney injury (AKI) is not frequently described. The purpose of this study is to report two cases of AKI associated with anabolic steroid and vitamin supplement abuse. CASE REPORT: Two men, aged 21 and 30 years, presented to the Emergency Department with abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting. They reported the use of anabolic steroids and veterinary supplements with vitamins A, D and E. Laboratory tests showed AKI (serum urea 79 and 52 mg/dl, serum creatinine 3.9 and 1.9 mg/dl) and hypercalcemia (calcium 13.2 and 11 mEq/l). Kidney biopsies showed inflammatory interstitial nephritis and acute tubular necrosis. Treatment consisted of vigorous hydration with simultaneous use of furosemide and discontinuation of the vitamins and anabolic substances, and resulted in recovery of renal function. CONCLUSIONS: AKI is an important complication of anabolic steroid and vitamin supplement abuse. The exact pathophysiology of this type of AKI remains unclear. The main cause of renal dysfunction in these cases seems to be the vitamin D intoxication and drug-induced interstitial nephritis. It is mandatory to start early treatment for serious hypercalcemia, with vigorous venous hydration, diuretics and corticosteroids.

Acute kidney injury due to rhabdomyolysis-associated gangrenous myositis.

Rhabdomyolysis is associated with infectious diseases in approximately 5% of cases and acute kidney injury occurs in 33-50% of cases. Gangrenous myositis is a deep seated infection of the subcutaneous and muscular tissues. We report the case of an 18 year-old man who was admitted to the emergency room with leg pain, fever, nausea, vomiting and oliguria. Physical examination showed moderate dehydration, peripheral cyanosis and skin necrosis with severe myalgia and no subcutaneous gas. Laboratory findings at admission were: serum urea 111 mg/dL, creatinine 1.3 mg/dL, potassium 6.3 mEq/L, creatine kinase (CK) 112,452 IU/L, aspartate amino transaminase (AST) 1116 IU/L, alanine amino transaminase (ALT) 1841 IU/L, pH 7.31, bicarbonate (HCO3) 11 mEq/L and lactate 4.3 mmol/L. Emergency hemodyalisis was started, and antibiotics were given due to high suspicion for bacterial infection. The patient developed respiratory insufficiency and septic shock needing mechanical ventilation and vasoactive drugs. He presented spontaneous gangrenous myositis in both legs and in his left arm. After 26 sessions of hemodialysis, partial recovery of renal function was observed. He was discharged from the ICU after 38 days, still with leg pain. Acute kidney injury due to rhabdomyolysis should be considered as a possible complication of gangrenous myositis.