Six-month outcome in acute kidney injury requiring renal replacement therapy in the ICU: a multicentre prospective study

To assess quality of life (QOL), mortality rate and renal function 6 months after onset of renal replacement therapy (RRT) for acute kidney injury (AKI) in the ICU.

This prospective observational study was conducted in seven ICUs in France over 9 months. Inclusion criteria were: age ≥18 years, RRT delivered for AKI and informed consent signed. AKI was defined from the RIFLE score. Recipients of kidney grafts or patients undergoing chronic RRT were not included.

QOL was assessed using the Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) questionnaire together with the Index of Activities of Daily Living (ADL) (0: full assistance to 6: no assistance). SF-36 was compared to a reference age- and sex-matched French population. Patient status, place of residence, and persistence of RRT, ADL and SF-36 were assessed at 28 days, 3 months and 6 months from inclusion. In the study period, 205 patients were included and 1 withdrew. At 6 months, 77/204 were alive (mortality 62%). SF-36 and ADL significantly increased from day 28 to 6 months. In the survivors at 6 months, SF-36 items were significantly lower than in the reference population, with the physical items more severely affected than the mental items; 64% were fully autonomous (ADL score = 6); 69% were living in their homes, and 12% were still undergoing RRT; 94% would agree to undergo the same management again.

ICU survivors from RRT for AKI have an impaired QOL at 6 months, but sustained autonomy in their daily lives.