Risk factors of acute renal failure in the elderly

Abstract

Background. Due to frequent comorbidity: heart failure, hypertension, diabetes and potentially long exposition to nephrotoxic factors the elderly are particularly prone to acute renal failure (ARF) [1]. Objectives. Analysis of risk factors of acute renal failure in the elderly. Material and methods. Analysis of 2894 case records of patients hospitalised in 2011. 83 patients at the age of > 65 years diagnosed with ARF were included in the study. Results. In the group studied men were in the majority (55.42%). 74 cases of prerenal, 7 of obstructive and 3 of parenchymatous ARF were noted. The most common risk factors of ARF were dehydration (79.7%), hypertension (56.63%) and infections (50.6%). Conclusions. Elderly men are at higher risk of ARF. If risk factors of ARF are present attention should be paid to daily urine output and assessment of hydration state. Diagnosis of parenchymatous ARF and its reversible causes should be considered before making diagnosis of prerenal ARF in the elderly.