The prevalence of renal impairment in the elderly hospitalized population

Renal impairment has already been cited as being under-reported. A retrospective cross-sectional study was carried out. The sample population consisted of 94 inpatients aged over 60 years at Clayponds Hospital in the UK who had been admitted for rehabilitation from acute hospitals. The glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was calculated using the Cockcroft-Gault formula modified for SI units. Renal impairment was found in 95.7% (95% CI: 91.8-99.6) of the sample (GFR < 90 ml/min). The study confirms that undetected renal impairment is prevalent. What is significant is that all of the subjects in this study were admitted from acute hospitals to Clayponds Hospital for rehabilitation. It is recommended that more attention be paid to the identification of patients with renal failure in hospitals owing to its significant morbidity and mortality.