New research indicates that certain individual- and neighborhood-level social determinants of health may increase the risk of developing post-discharge kidney failure in patients who developed acute kidney injury while in intensive care. The findings will be presented at ASN Kidney Week 2026 October 22–25.
For the study, investigators examined 2012–2022 data on 30,498 adults who experienced acute kidney injury while in the intensive care unit at a major US academic medical center and who survived to hospital discharge. Patients were followed for up to 2 years using the hospital electronic health record and the US Renal Data System.
During follow-up 2,723 (9%) patients died and 326 (1%) developed kidney failure. After adjustments, Black race was associated with a 43% higher kidney failure risk compared with white race, whereas having health insurance coverage was associated with a 40% lower risk. Neighborhood-level socioeconomic disadvantage was also independently associated with an increased risk of kidney failure, with higher risks observed among residents of moderately and highly deprived neighborhoods.
"Standardized assessment of social determinants of health in clinical practice may improve risk stratification of kidney failure and identify acute kidney injury survivors most likely to benefit from post-discharge interventions," said first author Dilaram Acharya, MPH, PhD, of the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
"Implementation studies of best practices to promote kidney health in vulnerable populations are needed," added corresponding senior author Javier Neyra, MD, MSCS also of the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
Study: "Association of Social Determinants of Health with Risk of ESKD Among Survivors of Critical Illness and AKI"
About ASN Kidney Week
Join ASN and more than 12,000 other kidney professionals from across the globe at ASN Kidney Week 2026 in Denver, CO. The world's premier nephrology meeting, Kidney Week, provides participants with exciting and challenging opportunities to exchange knowledge, learn the latest scientific and medical advances, and listen to engaging and provocative discussions with leading experts in the field. Early programs begin on October 21, followed by the Annual Meeting from October 22-25. Follow the conversation at #KidneyWk.
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