Outcome of COVID-19 in Patients Requiring Haemodialysis- A Retrospective Observational Study

Abstract

Introduction: Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) and Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) are risk factors for COVID-19 infection. Patients with kidney disease also have other co-morbidities like hypertension, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease that are risk factors for poor outcome in COVID-19 infections. Severe COVID-19 has multiorgan involvement including AKI. Compared to normal population, renal failure patients with COVID-19 have extensive lung involvement, need more ventilator support, and have higher mortality. Aim: To assess outcome (mortality, recovery) and association between factors (age, gender, co-morbidities), biochemical parameters with mortality in COVID-19 patients requiring haemodialysis. Materials and Methods: It was a retrospective observational study wherein, data was collected, entered and analysed with Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 19.0 using medical records of all COVID-19 patients who had renal failure (AKI or CKD) requiring haemodialysis. The study period was from June-September 2020 at Vydehi Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Bangalore, Karnataka, India. Results: Out of total 68 COVID-19 positive patients, mean age of presentation was 55.08 years and with 75% of the study population were males. Most patients presented with severe COVID-19 illness with tachypnoea and hypoxia. The AKI occurrence and mortality was noted in 44.1% and 47%, respectively. It was noted that medication usage was higher for corticosteroids, oseltamivir, vitamin C, zinc therapy. Conclusion: In the present single centre study involving COVID- 19 patients requiring haemodialysis, it was noticed that severe COVID-19 illness, presence of AKI, chronic respiratory illness and high inflammatory markers were associated with higher mortality.