Longer time to recovery from acute kidney injury is associated with major adverse kidney events in patients with cirrhosis

Abstract

Summary: Background: In patients with cirrhosis and acute kidney injury (AKI), longer time to AKI‐recovery may increase the risk of subsequent major‐adverse‐kidney‐events (MAKE). Aims: To examine the association between timing of AKI‐recovery and risk of MAKE in patients with cirrhosis. Methods: Hospitalised patients with cirrhosis and AKI (n = 5937) in a nationwide database were assessed for time to AKI‐recovery and followed for 180‐days. Timing of AKI‐recovery (return of serum creatinine <0.3 mg/dL of baseline) from AKI‐onset was grouped by Acute‐Disease‐Quality‐Initiative Renal Recovery consensus: 0–2, 3–7, and >7‐days. Primary outcome was MAKE at 90‐180‐days. MAKE is an accepted clinical endpoint in AKI and defined as the composite outcome of ≥25% decline in estimated‐glomerular‐filtration‐rate (eGFR) compared with baseline with the development of de‐novo chronic‐kidney‐disease (CKD) stage ≥3 or CKD progression (≥50% reduction in eGFR compared with baseline) or new haemodialysis or death. Landmark competing‐risk multivariable analysis was performed to determine the independent association between timing of AKI‐recovery and risk of MAKE. Results: 4655 (75%) achieved AKI‐recovery: 0–2 (60%), 3–7 (31%), and >7‐days (9%). Cumulative‐incidence of MAKE was 15%, 20%, and 29% for 0–2, 3–7, >7‐days recovery groups, respectively. On adjusted multivariable competing‐risk analysis, compared to 0‐2‐days, recovery at 3–7 and >7‐days was independently associated with an increased risk for MAKE: sHR 1.45 (95% CI 1.01–2.09, p = 0.042), sHR 2.33 (95% CI 1.40–3.90, p = 0.001), respectively. Conclusion: Longer time to recovery is associated with an increased risk of MAKE in patients with cirrhosis and AKI. Further research should examine interventions to shorten AKI‐recovery time and its impact on subsequent outcomes.