ABSTRACT
Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a global problem. Its incidence varies in different geographical region as well as the targeted population under the study. Most common causes are sepsis, volume depletion, nephrotoxic medication, and illnesses related to the heart and liver. In developing countries, it can be due to snake bite, malaria, and secondary to poisonings. Objectives: The study is conducted to analyze the types, etiological factors, and comorbidities associated with AKI in patients admitted into the medical wards in a tertiary care hospital. Materials and Methods: A total of 60 patients were selected based on the Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes criteria of AKI. An increase in serum creatinine >0.3 mg/dl or >1.5 times the baseline and a fall of urine output <0.5 ml/kg/h for 6–12 h were the criteria for selection. A history of volume depletion, nephrotoxic drugs, febrile illness, trauma, surgeries, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and any history of cardiovascular, renal, and liver disorders was taken. Patients were classified into pre-renal, renal, and post-renal as per etiologies found during the study. Data collected were analyzed statistically. Results: Of 60 patients, 39 were males and 21 were females. The mean age of the study group was 60 ± 5. Diabetes and hypertension were the most common comorbidities. Infections were found to be most common cause which included diarrheal illness (12 patients) followed by urinary tract infection (10 patients) and community-acquired pneumonia (8 patients). Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug abuse was seen in 12 patients, and an equal number of patients had chronic kidney disease and 6 patients had coronary artery disease. Conclusion: Pre-renal AKI is one of the common complications in the hospitalized patients. The key to management lies in high index of suspicion and early intervention while the injury is still reversible.