Acute Kidney Injury Risk Recognition in Resource-Sufficient Versus Resource-Limited Regions

Abstract

Acute kidney injury is a very common complication of acute illnesses with dire consequences. There are significant differences in incidence, etiology, severity, and clinical impact of acute kidney injury between resource-sufficient and resource-limited regions. Awareness of such differences would potentially allow clinicians and policymakers to devise and provide region-specific interventions to decrease the incidence of acute kidney injury and mitigate its complications. In this review article, we describe the similarities and differences of acute kidney injury risk factors and risk stratifications based on the level of resource availability in different regions. We also outline differences between community- and hospital-acquired acute kidney injury in different countries. In the end, we outline the potential steps need to be taken to mitigate incidence and clinical impacts of acute kidney injury in both resource-sufficient and resource-limited regions.