Prevalence of Renal Impairment in Palliative Care Inpatients: A Retrospective Analysis

Multiple drugs used in palliative care, including most opioids or their active metabolites may accumulate in patients with abnormal renal function, leading to serious adverse effects. The incidence and severity of renal impairment in palliative care inpatients has not been evaluated. The aim of the study was to investigate the incidence and severity of renal impairment in palliative care inpatients.

A retrospective analysis of medical records of patients admitted to the palliative care ward was performed. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was derived using the Cockcroft-Gault (C-G) and abbreviated Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (aMDRD) equations.

Serum creatinine levels (SCr) were determined in 332 subjects aged 66.4±11.80 years (194 women; mean body mass index [BMI] 22.7±5.21 kg/m(2)). Mean SCr was 107.7±112.31 μmol/L. Elevated SCr (>115 μmol/L) was found in 20.2% of patients. Mean eGFR calculated with C-G and aMDRD equations was 66.6±38.52 mL/min and 78.7±43.55 mL/min/1.73 m(2), respectively. Between 35.2% and 51.8% of patients had eGFR <60 mL/min/1.73 m(2) (depending on the equation used). More than 10% of patients had eGFR <30 mL/min/1.73 m(2). In patients with normal SCr, between 18.9% and 39.2% had eGFR <60 mL/min/1.73 m(2).

Renal impairment is common in palliative care inpatients, including considerable number of subjects with moderately to severely reduced kidney function.