Kidney Week

Abstract: TH-PO1064

Risk of Hospital Readmission Among People with CKD: A Population-Based Cohort Study

Session Information

• CKD: Epidemiology, Risk Factors, and Other Conditions
  November 06, 2025 | Location: Exhibit Hall, Convention Center
  Abstract Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Category: CKD (Non-Dialysis)

• 2301 CKD (Non-Dialysis): Epidemiology, Risk Factors, and Prevention

Authors

• Pattar, Badal S.B., University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine, Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Badal S.B. Pattar, BSc

• Sevinc, Emir, University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine, Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Emir Sevinc, MSc

• Scory, Tayler D., University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine, Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Tayler D. Scory, MSc

• Yaqoob, Maryam, University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine, Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Maryam Yaqoob, MD

• Elliott, Meghan J., University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine, Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Meghan J. Elliott, MD

• Pannu, Neesh I., University of Alberta Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Neesh I. Pannu, MD

• Ravani, Pietro, University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine, Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Pietro Ravani, MD, PhD

• James, Matthew T., University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine, Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Matthew T. James, MD, PhD

• Ronksley, Paul E., University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine, Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Paul E. Ronksley, PhD

• Ahmed, Sofia B., University of Alberta Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Sofia B. Ahmed, MD, MS, MSc

• Harrison, Tyrone, University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine, Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Tyrone Harrison, MD, PhD

Background

Hospital readmissions affect people with greater medical and social complexity and are a significant challenge for healthcare systems. With the high burden of comorbidities and resultant complications faced by people with chronic kidney disease (CKD), these individuals experience high risk of hospitalization and mortality compared to the general population. With about 30% of unplanned readmissions estimated to be avoidable, identifying individuals with CKD at risk of readmissions may inform decision-making during discharge planning to reduce this risk. Thus, we aimed to compare the differences in readmission risk and causes among individuals with varying glomerular filtration rates (GFR).

Methods

Adults discharged from hospitals in Alberta, Canada, from 2005-2021 were included. Baseline estimated GFR before the index hospitalization was categorized into seven groups (in mL/min/1.73 m²): ≥60 (G1-2), 45-59 (G3a), 30-44 (G3b), 15-29 (G4), <15 not on dialysis (G5ND), on dialysis (G5D), and kidney transplant recipients (G1-5T). The primary outcome was unplanned readmission or death within 30 days of discharge. Logistic regression was used to investigate differences in odds of the primary outcome, using G1-2 as the reference group. Causes of readmission were examined for each GFR category.

Results

This study included 1,231,442 participants with a median age of 62 years, of whom 51% were female. Within 30 days of discharge, 17% of participants experienced an unplanned readmission or death. With lower GFR categories, heart failure became the most common cause of unplanned readmission, followed by acute kidney injury. Compared to the G1-2 category, each progressively lower GFR group had significantly higher odds of 30-day unplanned readmission or death, with the highest odds experienced by the G1T-5T group (OR: 1.78; 95% CI: 1.43, 2.21) and G5D group (OR: 1.41; 95% CI: 1.33, 1.51).

Conclusion

These findings highlight the increased risk of 30-day unplanned readmission or mortality with lower GFR, suggesting that CKD severity may be helpful to inform risk-based discharge planning to improve patient outcomes.

Funding

• Government Support – Non-U.S.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

• doi: 10.1681/ASN.20256j5534dd