Acute Kidney Injury | Community Health

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a sudden decrease in kidney function that develops within seven days, characterized by an increase in serum creatinine or a decrease in urine output. AKI can be caused by prerenal, intrinsic renal, or postrenal factors, and its diagnosis is made based on a person's signs and symptoms, as well as laboratory tests such as serum creatinine and urine output measurements. According to the [[national-kidney-foundation|National Kidney Foundation]], AKI affects over 13 million people worldwide each year, with a mortality rate of up to 80% in severe cases. The [[american-association-of-kidney-patients|American Association of Kidney Patients]] estimates that AKI costs the US healthcare system over $10 billion annually. Early recognition and treatment of AKI are crucial to prevent long-term kidney damage and improve patient outcomes, as highlighted by the [[kidney-disease-improving-global-outcomes|Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO)]].