The Prevention of Acute Kidney Injury in Primary Care
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The Prevention of Acute Kidney Injury if Primary Care: A qualitative study exploring ’sick day rules’ for individuals with chronic kidney disease
IRAS ID
146496
Contact name
Tom Blakeman
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
The University of Manchester
Research summary
Being aware of kidney function is important in order to maintain health. Many people live with mild and moderately low kidney function, which is often referred to by health professionals as early stage chronic kidney disease or stage 3 CKD. People with mild and moderately low kidney function are at greater risk of developing kidney damage during periods of acute illness such as infections caused by flu or gastroenteritis. This is known as acute kidney injury or AKI.
AKI is common and affects over 20% of people who have an unplanned hospital admission. It is more common in the elderly and in people with multiple long-term conditions.
AKI is harmful and is associated with an increased risk of end stage renal failure requiring dialysis or kidney transplantation as well as a greater risk of death both in the short and long term. AKI is costly and results in more frequent, longer and more intensive admissions to hospital.
AKI is also preventable. Recommendations to achieve this include keeping hydrated during episodes of acute illness, such as flu. It is also recommended that people taking certain drugs called ACE Inhibitors, diuretics or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (e.g. ibuprofen) should temporarily stop these medicines during episodes of acute illness. However, this advice is currently not part for routine care. As the first part of a programme of research, the proposed study aims to interview patients with early stage CKD as well as GPs, practice nurses and pharmacists, in order to find out how to better support people during episodes of acute illness. The findings will be used to develop and test the introduction of ‘sick day rules’ for people with early stage CKD who experience an episode of acute illness.
REC name
North West - Preston Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/NW/0099
Date of REC Opinion
7 Mar 2014
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion