What is included in the classification of Acute Kidney Injury (AKI)?

The classification of Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) is primarily based on a framework that includes Risk, Injury, and Failure, along with additional categories such as Loss of kidney function and End-stage kidney disease. This classification helps in assessing the severity of kidney dysfunction and guides treatment decisions. Each category corresponds to increasing severity of kidney injury and helps in the systematic identification of patient needs.

Risk involves the initial detection of an elevated serum creatinine and/or reduced urine output, highlighting individuals who may be at risk of further deterioration. Injury indicates a more significant injury resulting in higher creatinine elevations or further decreases in urine output. Failure denotes a greater severity of kidney dysfunction, often requiring more advanced interventions such as dialysis.

The additional categories of Loss and End-stage provide further granularity in the classification, allowing clinicians to understand not only the acute phase but also the trajectory of kidney health over time. This comprehensive framework aligns with the guidelines established by the Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO), facilitating early intervention and prevention of long-term complications.

Other classifications, such as staging based solely on severity (Stage 1, Stage 2, Stage 3), may not encompass the entire range of clinical presentations and risks associated with AKI as effectively as the Risk