Risk for Significant Kidney Function Decline After Acute Kidney Injury in Adults With Hematologic Malignancy

Introduction: Acute kidney injury (AKI) affects 30% of adults hospitalized with hematologic malignancy. Little is known about the long-term impact on kidney outcomes in this population despite the close relationship between kidney function and malignancy treatment eligibility. The purpose of this population-based cohort study was to determine the effect of AKI on kidney function in the year following a new diagnosis of acute leukemia or lymphoma. Methods: Participants were adults hospitalized within 3 weeks of malignancy diagnosis. Baseline kidney function was determined and AKI diagnosed using standardized criteria. Cox proportional hazard modeling examined the relationship between AKI and a >= 30% decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) from baseline in the 1 year following hospitalization as the primary endpoint. Results: AKI occurred in 33% of 1064 participants, with 70% of episodes occurring within 48 hours of hospitalization, and significantly increased risk for a >= 30% decline in eGFR (hazard ratio [HR] 2.7, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.2-3.5) and incident chronic kidney disease (HR 2.2, 95% CI 1.7-2.8). AKI remained a significant predictor of eGFR decline in subgroup and multivariable analyses (adjusted HR 1.9, 95% CI 1.4-2.7). A >= 30% decline in eGFR increased the risk for death within 1 year in participants with AKI (HR 2.1, 95% CI 1.3-3.3). Conclusion: Results aid in identifying individuals at highest risk for poor outcomes and highlight the need for research involving interventions that preserve kidney function from the time of initial hospitalization with a hematologic malignancy into the postdischarge period.

Automated summary

Acute kidney injury in patients with acute leukemia or lymphoma diagnosis significantly increases the risk of declining kidney function, incident chronic kidney disease, and even death within the first year, highlighting the importance of interventions to preserve kidney function in this population.