International Society of Nephrology's 0by25 initiative for acute kidney injury (zero preventable deaths by 2025): a human rights case for nephrology

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a major contributor to poor patient outcomes. AKI occurs in about 13·3 million people per year, 85% of whom live in the developing world, and, although no direct link between AKI and death has yet been shown, AKI is thought to contribute to about 1·7 million deaths every year. 1 Lewington AJ Cerdá J Mehta RL Raising awareness of acute kidney injury: a global perspective of a silent killer. Kidney Int. 2013; 84: 457-467 Summary Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (36) Google Scholar The course of AKI varies with the setting in which it occurs, and the severity and duration of AKI affects outcomes such as dialysis requirement, renal functional recovery, and survival. Recognition is increasing for the effect of AKI on patients, and the resulting societal burden from its long-term effects, including development of chronic kidney disease and end-stage renal disease needing dialysis or transplantation. 2 Chawla LS Eggers PW Star RA Kimmel PL Acute kidney injury and chronic kidney disease as interconnected syndromes. N Engl J Med. 2014; 371: 58-66 Crossref PubMed Scopus (105) Google Scholar Eliminating acute kidney injury by 2025: an achievable goalWriting in our first Series on Global Kidney Disease in 2013, Giuseppe Remuzzi and colleagues observed that, “Although in some parts of the world acute and chronic kidney diseases are preventable or treatable disorders, in many other regions these diseases are left without any care. The nephrology community needs to commit itself to reduction of this divide between high-income and low-income regions”.1 Their warning and call to action were propitious. The burden of chronic kidney disease continues to increase. Full-Text PDF Eliminating acute kidney injury by 2025: an achievable goal for IndiaWe must congratulate the robust aim of zero deaths by 2025 due to acute kidney injury from the International Society for Nephrology, as stated in the Lancet Commission (June 27, p 2616).1,2 Full-Text PDF