Elevated serum iron level is a predictor of prognosis in ICU patients with acute kidney injury

Background Accumulation of iron is associated with oxidative stress, inflammation, and regulated cell death processes that contribute to the development of acute kidney injury (AKI). We aimed to investigate the association between serum iron levels and prognosis in intensive care unit (ICU) patients with AKI. Methods A total of 483 patients with AKI defined as per the Kidney Disease: Improving Global Guidelines were included in this retrospective study. The data was extracted from the single-centre Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care III database. AKI patients with serum iron parameters measured upon ICU admission were included and divided into two groups (low group and high group). The prognostic value of serum iron was analysed using univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis. Results The optimal cut-off value for serum iron was calculated to be 60 μg/dl. Univariable Cox regression analysis showed that serum iron levels were significantly correlated with prognosis of AKI patients. After adjusting for possible confounding variables, serum iron levels higher than 60 μg/dl were associated with increases in 28-day (hazard [HR] 1.832; P < 0.001) and 90-day (HR 1.741; P < 0.001) mortality, as per multivariable Cox regression analysis. Conclusions High serum iron levels were associated with increased short- and long-term mortality in ICU patients with AKI. Serum iron levels measured upon admission may be used for predicting prognosis in AKI patients.