RecruitingOBSERVATIONAL

Nephroprotective Measures in Critically Ill Patients With Moderate/Severe Acute Kidney Injury

This study focuses on critically ill patients who experience acute kidney injury (AKI) – a sudden and serious problem with their kidneys. AKI is common in very sick hospital patients and can have lasting effects, potentially leading to long-term kidney problems. There are no specific medications to treat or prevent AKI, so doctors rely on supportive measures to protect the kidneys. Guidelines exist for these protective steps, but research shows they aren't always fully put into practice. This study aims to understand how widely these recommended kidney-protective measures are used in patients with moderate or severe AKI. By understanding current practices, researchers hope to find ways to better manage AKI, reduce serious complications, and improve patients' overall health outcomes.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Sponsor

Universität Münster

Enrolment target

257

Start

24 Jul 2024

Estimated completion

01 Sep 2025

Acute Kidney Injury

What is this study about?

Imagine your kidneys are like a filter, cleaning your blood. When you're very unwell, especially in hospital, sometimes these filters can suddenly stop working properly. This is called Acute Kidney Injury (AKI). It's a serious condition that affects many hospital patients, and it can sometimes lead to long-term kidney problems if it doesn't get better quickly.

There aren't any specific medicines to fix AKI once it starts. Instead, doctors focus on providing special care and taking steps to protect the kidneys and help them recover. There are established guidelines that recommend a package of these protective measures. However, studies have shown that these recommended steps aren't always fully used in everyday hospital care, even though they could really help reduce the severity of AKI and improve how patients fare.

This study wants to look closely at critically ill patients who develop moderate or severe AKI. It will investigate how often and how well the recommended kidney-protective measures are actually put into practice for these patients. By understanding what's currently happening, researchers hope to identify areas where care can be improved, ultimately leading to better health for patients with AKI and reducing the chances of them developing long-term kidney issues.

Key takeaways

This study looks at how standard kidney-protective care is given to very sick patients.
It focuses on patients who get sudden kidney problems (AKI) in hospital.
The goal is to understand if recommended care is being fully used.
Participation involves observation of your existing care, not new treatments.
Your involvement could help improve future care for others with AKI.

Who may be eligible?

To take part in this study, you would need to be an adult (18 years or older) who is critically ill in hospital. This means you would likely need support for your breathing (like a ventilator) or medication to help with your blood pressure. You would also have developed moderate to severe Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) during your illness.

However, there are some reasons why you couldn't join. For example, if you already have significant long-term kidney disease, are on regular dialysis, have had a kidney transplant, or had a major kidney removed recently, you wouldn't be able to participate. Also, if you need to take certain strong medications that could harm your kidneys on a long-term basis, or if you are dependent on the researchers in some way, you wouldn't be eligible.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you 18 years old or older?
Are you currently severely unwell in hospital and needing support like a ventilator?
Have you developed moderate or severe sudden kidney problems (AKI)?
Do you have a significant long-term kidney disease, or are you on dialysis, or have you had a kidney transplant?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

This study is an observational study, meaning it will mostly involve looking at the care you are already receiving and collecting information about it. You would not receive any new or different medications specifically for the study. Researchers would gather data about your kidney function, the treatments you are given, and your overall health status during your hospital stay. There would be no extra hospital visits or special assessments beyond your usual medical care. The duration of your participation would depend on your hospital stay and recovery.

Potential risks and benefits

There are no significant direct risks to participating in this study as it involves observing your existing care rather than providing new treatments or tests. You won't be given any experimental medicines. While there isn't a direct personal benefit to you, your participation could help doctors and nurses better understand how to protect kidneys in very sick patients, potentially improving care for others in the future. Remember, you can choose to withdraw from the study at any time without it affecting your medical care.

Locations (3)

Universitätsklinik Innsbruck
Verified postcode
Innsbruck, Austria· Recruiting
University Hospital Münster; Department of Anesthesiology, Intensive Care Medicine and Pain Medicine
Verified postcode
Münster, Germany· Recruiting
Radboud University medical cener
Verified postcode
Nijmegen, Netherlands· Recruiting

Common questions

What is Acute Kidney Injury (AKI)?

AKI is when your kidneys suddenly stop working properly. It's common in very sick people in hospital.

What are 'nephroprotective measures'?

These are steps doctors and nurses take to help protect your kidneys and help them recover, as there aren't specific medicines for AKI.

Will I get new medicines in this study?

No, this study just observes the care you are already receiving; you won't get any new medicines or treatments because of it.

Will taking part change my hospital care?

No, your medical care will remain the same. The study just gathers information about the care you're already receiving.

Can I stop being part of the study once I've joined?

Yes, you can choose to leave the study at any time, and it won't affect your medical treatment.

How to find out more

Melanie Meersch-Dini, MD

meersch@uni-muenster.de +492518347255 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.