過去30年來，急性腎損傷之死亡率並未隨著醫療進步而有顯著改善。近年來的研究漸漸發現：急性腎損傷的嚴重程度對住院死亡率與短期死亡率皆有顯著影響，且就算出院時腎功能恢復，長期追蹤下其慢性腎臟病與末期腎臟病之機率亦比未發生急性腎損傷者高。然而，這些慢性腎臟病患者雖然生活品質調整後存活(quality-adjusted life span)雖然比一般人顯著減少，他們對自己的健康滿意度與一般族群不相上下。急性腎損傷造成的長期併發症風險常被忽視，臨床照顧上應小心追蹤其腎功能與控制慢性腎臟病之危險因子。目前對於急性腎損傷如何造成長期之影響的機轉仍不清楚，尚待更多基礎研究的投入。

Over the past 30 years, the mortality of acute kidney injury (AKI) remained unchanged. Recent studies disclosed that the occurrence and severity of AKI had strong correlation with in-hospital mortality. Furthermore, the risks of de novo chronic kidney disease and end-stage renal disease also increased during the long-term follow-up, even in those who got recovery of kidney function at hospital discharge. Although the AKI survivors had significant less quality-adjusted life span, their self-perceived health was similar with that in the general population. The long-term consequences of AKI are always overlooked by doctors and patients. We should pay more attention on following and caring their renal function. The mechanism about how AKI induces chronic renal disease remains unclear. More bench works focusing this issue are warranted. (J Intern Med Taiwan 2014; 25: 82-85)