The present invention relates to a method for a method for predicting the development of renal dysfunction in a subject following physical trauma, hypotension, sepsis and/or septic shock syndrome, wherein the method comprises the steps of: —a. determining the level of an anti-inflammatory cytokine present in a sample taken from the subject after physical trauma, after a hypotensive event, after sepsis, and/or after septic shock syndrome b. predicting the development in the subject of renal dysfunction on the basis of the level of an anti-inflammatory cytokine determined in step a).