Acute kidney injury in burn patients: A year findings from a topmost referral burn center in West Java, Indonesia

Abstract

Background

Burn injuries, which affect two layers of the skin, are commonly quantified as a percentage of the total body surface area involved (%TBSA). Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) represents a rapid and typically reversible decrease in kidney function, as indicated by the glomerular filtration rate (GFR). In the context of burn injuries, AKI can be categorized as either early or late onset, each having distinct causes. Neglecting to identify and manage AKI can significantly impact the prognosis of burn injuries.

Methods

This research was an analytical observational study employing a cross-sectional design and subsequent correlation analysis. Data was collected from medical records during the year 2022. Out of a total of 171 cases, only 71 were suitable for evaluation. The statistical analysis of categorical data involved the use of the chi-square test.

Result

In this study, 62.7 % of male participants had burn injuries with a Total Body Surface Area (%TBSA) greater than 20 %, compared to 64.2 % with %TBSA less than 20 %. The average age for patients with %TBSA greater than 20 % was 37.4 years, while for those with %TBSA less than 20 %, it was 42.5 years. The average body weight for these groups was 64 kg and 65 kg, respectively. In terms of kidney function, patients with %TBSA greater than 20 % had an average creatinine level of 1.41 mg/dL and an estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR) of 95.79 mL/min/1.73 m². In contrast, those with %TBSA less than 20 % had average values of 0.86 mg/dL for creatinine and 115.12 mL/min/1.73 m² for eGFR. Regarding Acute Kidney Injury (AKI), 7 % of patients with burn injuries of %TBSA less than 20 % suffered from AKI, compared to 53.5 % who did not. Among patients with %TBSA greater than 20 %, 25.4 % experienced AKI, while 14.1 % did not.

Conclusion

The study reveals a significant correlation between the severity of burn injuries and the occurrence of Acute Kidney Injury (AKI). Specifically, patients with burn injuries affecting over 20% of their Total Body Surface Area (TBSA) are 13.6 times more likely to develop AKI compared to those with less extensive burns, covering less than 20% of TBSA.