Postoperative acute kidney injury in surgical intensive care units: a multicenter study on incidence and risk profiles

This multicenter retrospective study identifies the major risk factors associated with the development of postoperative acute kidney injury (AKI) and examines its incidence among patients in the surgical intensive care unit. The study involved adult patients (aged 18 years and older) who were admitted to surgical intensive care units (SICUs) after major surgical procedures. Data analysis was conducted using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences 27, and tables and figures were utilized to present the results. The incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI) in surgical intensive care units (SICUs) was 53.4% (95% CI: 48.4%–58.4%). AKI was significantly associated with several factors, including sepsis (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 8.2, 95% CI: 5.3–12.3), trauma (AOR: 4.8, 95% CI: 3.4–7.7), chronic kidney disease (AOR: 3.3, 95% CI: 2.1–4.8), diabetes mellitus (AOR: 2.1, 95% CI: 1.1–4.2), blood transfusion (AOR: 2.5, 95% CI: 1.5–7.3), and emergency surgery (AOR: 2.6, 95% CI: 1.8–4.9). Patients hospitalized in surgical intensive care units have a significant rate of postoperative acute kidney injury (AKI). Conditions such as sepsis, trauma, pre-existing chronic renal disease, diabetes mellitus, receiving blood transfusions, and undergoing emergency surgery are independently associated with an increased risk of AKI. To reduce the burden of AKI and improve patient outcomes, early detection and targeted preventative strategies are crucial for high-risk populations in surgical intensive care units.