RecruitingOBSERVATIONAL

Improving Patient Assessment After Acute Kidney Injury (AKI)

This research wants to make patient care better after an acute kidney injury (AKI). It has three main parts: first, comparing different blood tests (creatinine and cystatin) to see which is best for checking kidney health after AKI; second, understanding what it's like for people who have experienced AKI through interviews; and third, using all this information to recommend better ways to assess and support patients moving forward. If you take part, you might have blood tests, body composition scans, fill out surveys about your health, or talk to a researcher about your experiences. This study is for people aged 18 to 85 who have recently had AKI.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Sponsor

University of Nottingham

Enrolment target

100

Start

16 Feb 2026

Estimated completion

01 Oct 2029

Acute Kidney Injury

What is this study about?

This study is all about making things better for people who have experienced acute kidney injury, or AKI. AKI happens when your kidneys suddenly stop working as well as they should. It can be a serious condition, and looking after yourself afterwards is very important. This research project wants to find the best ways to check on kidney health after AKI and understand what patients go through.

The researchers are looking into a few key areas. They want to know if there's a better way to measure how well your kidneys are working after an AKI using different blood tests. They also want to genuinely listen to patients' stories and experiences after AKI, because hearing directly from you can help them understand what care and support is really needed. Finally, they'll use all this information to come up with new ideas and recommendations to improve how doctors and nurses assess and support patients recovering from AKI.

Ultimately, the goal is to make sure people who have had AKI get the best possible care and support to help them recover and stay healthy. Your participation could help shape future care for many others.

Key takeaways

Aims to improve care for people after acute kidney injury (AKI).
Compares different ways to measure kidney function.
Wants to understand patient experiences after AKI.
Will use patient input to recommend better support.
Involves blood tests, body scans, surveys, or interviews.
Open to adults aged 18-85 who have recently had AKI.

Who may be eligible?

This study is looking for adults aged between 18 and 85 years old. To join the main part of the study that looks at different measurements, you would have had a moderate to severe acute kidney injury, or a milder AKI that lasted at least 7 days, during a hospital stay. Your AKI should have happened about 2 to 3 months before you join the study.

For the part of the study where you talk about your experiences, you'd also need to be 18 to 85 and have had an AKI during a hospital stay, about 2 to 3 months earlier. If you want to help plan better care, you can join the workshop part of the study. For this, you should also be 18 to 85 and have some valuable experience related to AKI. This could mean you've had AKI yourself, cared for someone with it, or work in a job where you deal with kidney issues.

There are some reasons you might not be able to join. These include being unable to understand or agree to take part, if you are currently having dialysis, have had a kidney transplant, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have certain other medical conditions. You also can't take part in some sections if you have a pacemaker, or if you can't speak English for the group discussions.

Quick self-check

Are you between 18 and 85 years old?
Did you have an acute kidney injury (AKI) during a hospital stay?
Was your AKI about 2 to 3 months ago?
Are you able to provide your consent to take part?
Are you not currently on dialysis or do you not have a kidney transplant?
Are you not pregnant or breastfeeding?

This is a guide only — the research team will confirm whether you can take part.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part in this study, what you're asked to do will depend on which part of the study you join. You might be asked to have several blood tests, which will help the researchers compare different ways of measuring kidney function. You could also have a scan to measure your body composition, which looks at how much muscle and fat you have.

Another part of taking part might involve filling out questionnaires about your symptoms and how you're feeling. You could also have an interview with a researcher where you can talk about your personal experiences after having AKI. For some, there will be a group discussion or workshop where you share ideas to help create a plan for improving future patient care. There are no specific medications involved, and the overall time commitment will vary depending on which parts of the study you participate in.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in this study may offer the benefit of contributing to better understanding and care for patients after acute kidney injury, potentially improving future treatments for many. However, there are some potential risks. Blood tests can cause slight discomfort, bruising, or, very rarely, infection. Body scans are generally safe but may involve mild inconvenience. Discussing personal experiences can sometimes be emotional. You are free to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your medical care.

Locations (1)

University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust
Derby, United Kingdom· Recruiting

Common questions

What is AKI?

AKI stands for Acute Kidney Injury, which means your kidneys suddenly stop working as well as they should.

Who can take part in this study?

Adults between 18 and 85 years old who have recently had AKI during a hospital stay are generally eligible.

What will I have to do if I join?

You might have blood tests, body scans, fill out questionnaires, or talk to a researcher about your experiences, depending on which part you join.

Do I have to take new medicine?

No, this study does not involve taking any new medications.

Can I leave the study at any time?

Yes, you are free to stop taking part in the study at any point, and your medical care will not be affected.

How to find out more

Kerry Horne Dr, BMBCh

kerry.horne@nottingham.ac.uk +44 01332 788262 Official trial record

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