CONTRAST-ASSOCIATED ACUTE KIDNEY INJURY AMONG INDIVIDUALS IN SAUDI ARABIA: KNOWLEDGE AND AWARENESS STUDY.

Abstract

Introduction: While there isn't a single accepted definition, the most widely used ones were an absolute (≥0.5 mg/dL) or relative 25% rise in baseline serum creatinine concentration measured 48–72 hours following a radiological operation, Many studies revealed that there is insufficient knowledge and awareness level regarding contrast associated acute kidney injury moreover there is still a considerable gap in the literature about public understanding assessment of CA-AKI, particularly in Saudi Arabia. This study aims to assess level of knowledge and awareness regarding contrast-associated acute kidney injury among the general population in Saudi Arabia. Methodology: The study was a community-based cross-sectional study among the Saudi population, who can read Arabic or English, and who participate in the study was included. The data was collected during the period between July-December 2024 via a valid and reliable questionnaire that was distributed to participants. Quantitative data was analyzed using the t-test, and the Chi-square test was used to assess qualitative variables. A P value ≤ 0.05 is considered significant. Statistical analysis was performed with IBM SPSS version 25.0 Statistical software package. Results: The total number of participants was 1010. Findings revealed that 31.7% of participants were unaware of intravenous contrast materials, and 47.5% demonstrated low knowledge levels regarding CA-AKI. While 48.5% reported receiving information about the risks of iodinated contrast media, 34.0% had not received any such information. Additionally, 74.9% believed that iodinated contrast is not universally safe. The results highlight significant gaps in public understanding, emphasizing the need for targeted educational initiatives to improve awareness and informed decision-making regarding CA-AKI. Conclusion: The findings of this study underscore a critical need for enhanced educational initiatives aimed at improving public understanding of contrast-associated acute kidney injury. The significant gaps in knowledge and awareness identified among the Saudi population highlight the importance of targeted interventions to educate patients about the risks associated with iodinated contrast media.