Diagnostic accuracy of the blood urea-to-creatinine ratio for differentiating AKI etiologies and dialysis prediction in adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Highlights • First meta-analysis of UCR diagnostic accuracy in AKI.• 9 studies (10 cohorts), 16,412 patients analyzed.• High UCR for pre-renal AKI: AUC = 0.69, modest sensitivity, low specificity.• High UCR for non-dialysis AKI: AUC = 0.63, limited discrimination.• Findings support cautious use given heterogeneity and low-certainty evidence.