BUN/creatinine ratio associated with mortality in patients with cirrhosis and acute kidney injury.

Introduction and Objectives

Cirrhosis is a prevalent disease worldwide, with complications such as acute kidney injury (AKI) that increase the risk of fatal outcomes. A high BUN/creatinine ratio (IBC) has been associated with mortality in other diseases Therefore, evaluating this index in patients with cirrhosis could predict mortality. To determine whether a high BUN/creatinine ratio is associated with mortality in patients with cirrhosis and AKI.

Materials and Patients

Retrospective analysis was conducted on a cohort of cirrhotic patients with and without AKI, calculating the IBC and assessing its association with mortality.

Results

A total of 201 patients with cirrhosis were included, of whom 106 were male (52.73%), with a mean age of 55±10.4 years. The distribution of Child Pugh scores was as follows: A (25, 12.43%), B (70, 34.82%), and C (106, 52.73%); the mean MELD-Na score was 21.8±9.45. The cumulative mortality rate at 28 days was 37 (18.4%) and at 90 days was 39 (24.4%). The model was not significant at 28 days but was significant at 90 days with a X2 value of 48.18 (2) and p<0.001.

At 90 days, the model was significant with a x2 value of 49.7 (2) and p<0.001, with an OR (IBC) of 2.78 (1.08-7.11, 95% CI, p=0.33), and for AKI OR of 7.97 (2.2-28.8, 95% CI, p=0.02) (Figure 1). Considering either factor present, the model was significant at 28 days with a X2 of 27.75 (1) and p<0.001, with an OR of 7.2 (3-17.3, p<0.001), and at 90 days with a X2 of 35.59 (1) and p<0.001, with an OR of 6.67 (3.23-13.76, p<0.001).

Conclusions

The Cox proportional hazards model was used to compare factors associated with mortality separately for AKI (present vs. absent) and IBC (>20 mg/dl vs. <20 mg/dl) at 28 and 90 days, as well as if both factors were present. The model was considered significant if the p-value was less than 0.5. The study concluded that a higher IBC (>20 mg/dl) could predict mortality in patients with cirrhosis, as the odds ratios at 28 and 90 days were significant.