Risk factors for polymyxin B-associated acute kidney injury

This study aimed to assess the current incidence and risk factors for polymyxin B-associated acute kidney injury (AKI) in Chinese hospitals for a more effective clinical use for polymyxin B.

This multicenter, retrospective cohort study included patients from 14 Chinese teaching hospitals who received polymyxin B therapy. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to determine the factors associated with polymyxin B-associated incident AKI. Furthermore, a multivariate logistic regression model was used to identify the independent risk factors for AKI.

A total of 251 patients were included in the analysis. The overall incidence of AKI was 33.5%. A multivariate logistic regression model identified the loading dose (hazard ratio (HR), 1.84; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.01-3.38; P = 0.0491) and the use of two or more nephrotoxic drugs (HR, 3.56; 95% CI, 1.55-8.18; P = 0.0029) as independent risk factors for the occurrence of AKI. Meanwhile, the estimated glomerular filtration rate had a protective effect (HR, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.98-0.99; P = 0.0006) on the occurrence of AKI. The daily dose, cumulative dose, and treatment duration of polymyxin B did not affect the occurrence of AKI.

The use of polymyxin B loading doses and the combined use of multiple nephrotoxic drugs are independent risk factors for polymyxin B-associated AKI. The severity of AKI may be higher in patients with elevated baseline creatinine levels.