Background Due to climate change, days with high temperatures are becoming more frequent. Although the effect of high temperature on the kidneys has been reported in research from Central and South America, Oceania, North America and Europe, evidence from Asia is still lacking. This study aimed to examine the association between short-term exposure to high temperatures and acute kidney injury (AKI) in a nationwide study in South Korea. Methods We used representative sampling data from the 2002–2015 National Health Insurance Service–National Sample Cohort in South Korea to link the daily mean temperatures and AKI cases that occurred in the summer. We used a bidirectional case-crossover study design with 0–7 lag days before the emergency room visit for AKI. In addition, we stratified the data into six income levels to identify the susceptible population. Results A total of 1706 participants were included in this study. The odds ratio (OR) per 1°C increase at 0 lag days was 1.051, and the ORs per 1°C increase at a lag of 2 days were both 1.076. The association between exposure to high temperatures and AKI was slightly greater in the low-income group (OR = 1.088; 95% CI: 1.049–1.128) than in the high-income group (OR = 1.065; 95% CI: 1.026–1.105). Conclusions In our study, a relationship between exposure to high temperatures and AKI was observed. Precautions should be taken at elevated temperatures to minimize the risk of negative health effects.

中文翻译：

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韩国夏季气温与急性肾损伤的关联：一项病例交叉研究

背景 由于气候变化，高温天气越来越频繁。尽管在中南美洲、大洋洲、北美和欧洲的研究中已经报道了高温对肾脏的影响，但仍然缺乏来自亚洲的证据。本研究旨在在韩国进行的一项全国性研究中检验短期暴露于高温与急性肾损伤 (AKI) 之间的关联。方法 我们使用 2002-2015 年韩国国民健康保险服务国家样本队列的代表性抽样数据，将日平均气温与夏季发生的 AKI 病例联系起来。我们使用双向病例交叉研究设计，在 AKI 急诊室就诊前有 0-7 个滞后天。此外，我们将数据分为六个收入水平，以确定易感人群。结果 共有 1706 名参与者被纳入本研究。滞后 0 天时每升高 1°C 的比值比 (OR) 为 1.051，滞后 2 天时每升高 1°C 的 OR 均为 1.076。与高收入组（OR = 1.065；95% CI：1.026-1.105）相比，低收入组（OR = 1.088；95% CI：1.049–1.128）暴露于高温和 AKI 之间的关联略大). 结论 在我们的研究中，观察到暴露于高温和 AKI 之间的关系。在高温下应采取预防措施，以尽量减少对健康造成负面影响的风险。滞后 2 天每升高 1°C 的 OR 均为 1.076。与高收入组（OR = 1.065；95% CI：1.026-1.105）相比，低收入组（OR = 1.088；95% CI：1.049–1.128）暴露于高温和 AKI 之间的关联略大). 结论 在我们的研究中，观察到暴露于高温和 AKI 之间的关系。在高温下应采取预防措施，以尽量减少对健康造成负面影响的风险。滞后 2 天每升高 1°C 的 OR 均为 1.076。与高收入组（OR = 1.065；95% CI：1.026-1.105）相比，低收入组（OR = 1.088；95% CI：1.049–1.128）暴露于高温和 AKI 之间的关联略大). 结论 在我们的研究中，观察到暴露于高温和 AKI 之间的关系。在高温下应采取预防措施，以尽量减少对健康造成负面影响的风险。