Kidney Week

Abstract: TH-PO0745

Assessment of Muscle Function and Muscle Mass in Patients with AKI Requiring CRRT

Session Information

• AKI: Critical Care, CKRT, Cardiorenal Syndromes, and Clinical Outcomes
  October 22, 2026 | Location: Exhibit Hall A, Convention Center
  Abstract Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Category: Acute Kidney Injury

• 102 AKI: Clinical, Outcomes, and Trials

Authors

• Asif, Aleena, University of Alabama at Birmingham Health System, Birmingham, Alabama, United States

Aleena Asif, MBBS

• Nombera-Aznaran, Natalia R., University of Alabama at Birmingham Health System, Birmingham, Alabama, United States

Natalia R. Nombera-Aznaran, MD

• Gonzalez Flores, Paulina L., University of Alabama at Birmingham Health System, Birmingham, Alabama, United States

Paulina L. Gonzalez Flores, MD

• Gonzalez-Seguel, Felipe, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, United States

Felipe Gonzalez-Seguel, MSc

• Mayer, Kirby, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, United States

Kirby Mayer, PhD

• Neyra, Javier A., University of Alabama at Birmingham Health System, Birmingham, Alabama, United States

Javier A. Neyra, MD, MS, FASN

• Gamboa, Jorge, University of Alabama at Birmingham Health System, Birmingham, Alabama, United States

Jorge Gamboa, MD, PhD

Background

Patients requiring intensive care frequently develop acquired muscle weakness, often compounded by acute kidney injury (AKI). While chronic kidney disease is a well-established contributor to reduced muscle mass and function, the role of AKI—particularly in patients receiving continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT)—in muscle loss remains poorly understood. We therefore evaluated the clinical characteristics of patients with AKI on CRRT in relation to markers of muscle mass and function.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional study of eight ICU patients who developed AKI and required CRRT. Muscle function and mass were assessed at ICU discharge and correlated with clinical characteristics of the ICU stay. Knee extension and grip strength were measured using dynamometers. Muscle weakness was evaluated using the Medical Research Council Sum Score (MRC-SS). Quadriceps muscle mass was assessed by ultrasound (US) using a Philips Lumify device.

Results

Eight patients were included. The mean age was 63 ± 9 years; 25% were African American, 37.5% were female, and the mean BMI was 30.1 ± 8.8 kg/m2. Five of eight patients had muscle weakness (MRC-SS <48); however, MRC-SS did not correlate with measures of muscle function or mass. Serum creatinine at ICU admission was inversely correlated with knee extension strength (Figure 1A). In contrast, blood urea nitrogen (BUN) at ICU admission was positively associated with ultrasound-measured muscle thickness (Figure 1B).

Conclusion

In ICU patients requiring CRRT, admission creatinine and BUN levels were significantly associated with knee extension strength and muscle thickness, suggesting a link between kidney function and muscle health. These findings highlight the need for larger studies to further investigate the impact of AKI on ICU-acquired muscle weakness.

Acknowledgment

This work was supported by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) of the National Institutes of Health under Award Numbers R01DK133539 and U54DK137307.

Funding

• NIDDK Support