Acute kidney injury risk rises in summer

The risk of community-acquired acute kidney injury (AKI) is higher in the summer months according to an analysis of Japanese health insurance data – especially among young people. Researchers at Kumamoto University found a clear seasonal pattern among people younger than 65 years in Japan, with a larger seasonal increase among those aged 19 years and younger.

AKI is a sudden decline in kidney function that can become serious enough to require hospitalisation or dialysis. While AKI is often associated with hospitalised patients, it can also develop in the community, including among people who are otherwise living their everyday lives and visiting outpatient clinics.

The research team analysed health insurance claims data from approximately 4.28 million people under 65 years of age in Japan, covering the period from August 2016 through July 2018. Among them, 20,634 new cases of community-acquired AKI were identified.

The incidence of AKI increased from June to July and reached its highest level in July. Compared with February, the adjusted incidence rate in July was 19% higher. Among people aged 0–19 years, the July incidence rate was approximately 48% higher than in February, indicating a larger seasonal variation in this age group.

‘Summer is a season when dehydration and heat-related health problems can become more common,’ said Yuka Sakazaki, the study’ first author and a doctoral student at Kumamoto University’s Graduate School of Medical Sciences.

Prof Yuki Kondo, Associate Professor at Kumamoto University’s Faculty of Life Sciences, said the study points to opportunities for prevention. ‘Our findings suggest that seasonal factors may be important to consider in AKI prevention, especially given the larger seasonal variation observed among younger people.’

The researchers caution that the study does not establish that high temperatures or dehydration directly cause AKI. The claims database did not contain laboratory measurements or detailed information on individual heat exposure, temperature, humidity, or other environmental conditions. In addition, AKI was identified using diagnosis codes in insurance claims rather than laboratory-based diagnostic criteria, so differences in diagnosis or coding across seasons cannot be completely excluded.

Future research combining clinical and laboratory data with meteorological information may help clarify how environmental factors contribute to seasonal changes in AKI risk and support the development of prevention strategies tailored to the summer season.