Sameeha A Alshelleh
Background: Improvements in health care systems worldwide have had notable effects on the life expectancy of older individuals. As a result, nonagenarians are emerging as a separate age group with distinct health care needs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI), the mortality rates, and length of in-hospital stay among nonagenarians.
Methods: This is a retrospective case–control chart review of patients of age 90 years and above who were admitted to hospital. Patients with Stage I, II, or III chronic kidney disease were included in the analysis. The incidence of AKI was determined using data from the Acute Kidney Injury Network (AKIN) classification. Primary outcome variables included length of in-hospital stay and mortality rates.
Results: Of the 253 patients who were included in the study, the mean age was 91.5 years, 61 of the patients (25.9%) developed AKI, and 41 patients (66.1%) were in Stage I AKI according to AKIN criteria. Fifty-seven patients died during the study period; 57.9% of those patients had AKI. Hospital stay was longer in patients with AKI with a mean length of stay of 8.1 days. Congestive heart failure, cancer, and use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were the main risk factors for AKI among those patients.
Conclusion: AKI is common in nonagenarians. It was associated with increased length of hospital stays and increased risk for mortality.
