MNCLHD

MNCLHD

Thursday, October 01, 2015

Acute kidney injury in Australia

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is increasing in incidence globally. This report, Acute Kidney Injury in Australia: a first national snapshot, is a first look at the statistical impact of AKI in Australia, using hospital and mortality data.

In 2012-13, there were around 131,780 hospitalisations for AKI (as the principal and/or an additional diagnosis). The average length of stay for AKI hospitalisations was 11.4 days, which was twice as long as the average length of stay for hospitalisations overall (5.6 days).  In addition, in 2012 there were around 5,160 deaths where AKI was recorded as the underlying or an associated cause of death.

AKI hospitalisations (as a principal diagnosis) more than doubled between 2000-01 and 2012-13. Hospitalisation and death rates for AKI increase rapidly with age, with the majority occurring in those aged 65 and over. Males had at least 40% higher rate of AKI hospitalisations than females when it presents as an additional diagnosis.  People living in remote areas, socioeconomically disadvantaged areas and those with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander status also had higher hospitalisation and death rates.

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