Kidney Week

Abstract: FR-PO0044

Eye on AKI: Are Shifting Trends the Cue for a Platform Clinical Trial?

Session Information

• AKI: Epidemiology, Risk Factors, and Prevention
  November 07, 2025 | Location: Exhibit Hall, Convention Center
  Abstract Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Category: Acute Kidney Injury

• 101 AKI: Epidemiology, Risk Factors, and Prevention

Authors

• Kotwal, Sradha S., University of New South Wales School of Clinical Medicine, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Sradha S. Kotwal, MBChB, PhD

• Shah, Nasir A., University of New South Wales School of Clinical Medicine, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Nasir A. Shah, MBBS, MSc, FASN

• Gallagher, Martin P., University of New South Wales School of Clinical Medicine, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Martin P. Gallagher, MBBS, PhD, MPH

Group or Team Name

• Renal and Metabolic Program, The George Institute for Global Health.

Background

Acute kidney injury (AKI) affects up to 31% of hospitalized patients, and contributes significantly to morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. With no proven therapies to improve outcomes, AKI-specific discovery research is vital to address this treatment gap. The aim of this study was to evaluate trends in basic-science kidney research over time and explore implications for AKI research and treatment.

Methods

A systematic review of kidney research publications from 2013 to 2024 was conducted using EMBASE. Publications were classified by research type (basic science vs. clinical), proportions of those related to AKI, and subcategories of publications focused on disease mechanism and therapeutics. Trends in publication volume and focus were analysed using regression models.

Results

While all kidney research publications increased from 2013 to 2024 (r = 0.86, r² = 0.75, β1 = 1439.6, p = 0.0003), the proportion of basic science publications declined (r = -0.85 r² = 0.72, β1 = -0.21, p = 0.0005). AKI-specific research within basic science showed significant growth (r = 0.99, r² = 0.98, β1 = 0.54, p < 0.0001), with an increased focus on both mechanistic insights (r = 0.94, r² = 0.89, β1 = 0.88, p < 0.0001) and therapeutics (r = 0.96, r² = 0.93, β1 = 0.96, p < 0.0001).

Conclusion

The publication trends show a generalised increase in published kidney disease research between 2012 and 2024, with increasing attention on AKI-specific discovery research. The increasing focus on AKI is likely to deliver findings and potential therapies that will need testing in clinical trials. Establishing adequate clinical trial infrastructure, such as platform trials, will expedite the clinical application of this research.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

• doi: 10.1681/ASN.2025g32e9gww