| Summary: | Karnofsky Performance Scale Index (KPS) is a measure of functional
status that allows patients to be classified according to their functional
impairment. We aim to assess if the prior KPS may predict the risk of death among
patients with acute renal failure (ARF). METHODS: A cohort of 668 consecutive
patients who had been admitted in an university-affiliated hospital between June
2000 and June 2006, and had been diagnosed with ARF, were studied. Three hundred
and eighty-six patients with ARF who matched at least one of the RIFLE (Risk,
Injury, Failure, Loss and End stage) criteria on increased serum creatinine were
included for subsequent analysis. The group was divided into four categories,
according to different Karnofsky scores measured by a nephrologist (>or=80, 70,
60 and <or=50). We used an adjusted logistic regression model to assess the
relationship between the Karnofky score and mortality. RESULTS: A significant
risk of in-hospital mortality within 90 days was observed when the other groups
were compared with the >or=80 Karnofsky group. Adjusted odds ratios were 8.87
(95% confidence interval (CI) 3.03-25.99), 6.78 (95% CI 2.61-17.58) and 2.83 (95%
CI 1.04-7.68), for Karnofsky groups of <or=50, 60 and 70, respectively. An
adjusted odds ratio of 1.75 (95% CI 1.37-2.23) was observed for every 10 point
decrease in KPS score. CONCLUSION: Functional status as indicated by the KPS is
an independent predictor of death in this cohort of patients with ARF. Patients
who presented lower scores had increased mortality rates
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