Sign in Subscribe
Coronaviruses

COVID-19 Mortality in End-Stage Kidney Disease Patients on Dialysis

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Research by investigators at Emory University has shed light on the vulnerability of end-stage kidney disease patients on dialysis to COVID-19 infection. The study found that these patients, particularly those of African-American ethnicity, are at a higher risk of mortality due to comorbidities, age, and logistic constraints of dialysis. The researchers identified factors associated with mortality, including age, C-reactive protein, D-dimer, bilirubin, and history of peripheral vascular disease.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study identified 64 dialysis patients with COVID-19, with 84% being African-American and a median age of 64 years.
  • The most common symptoms at presentation were fever (72%), cough (61%), and diarrhea (22%).
  • Thirty-three percent of patients required admission to the intensive care unit, and 23% required mechanical ventilation.
  • Eleven patients (17%) died during hospitalization, and 17% were discharged to a temporary rehabilitation facility.
  • Age 65 years was associated with a 13.7 times higher risk of mortality (CI: 1.9-100.7).
  • Elevated C-reactive protein (RR 8.3, CI: 1.1-60.4), peak D-dimer (RR 4.3, CI: 1.03-18.2), and bilirubin levels (RR 3.9, CI: 1.5-10.4) were also associated with mortality.
  • Patients with a history of peripheral vascular disease had a 3.2 times higher risk of mortality (CI: 1.2-9.1).
  • Dialysis COVID-19-infected patients were more likely to develop thromboembolic complications than those without COVID-19 (RR 3.7, CI: 1.3-10.1).

Statistics:

  • 64 patients with COVID-19 were identified, with 84% being African-American and a median age of 64 years.
  • 72% of patients presented with fever, 61% with cough, and 22% with diarrhea.
  • 33% of patients required admission to the intensive care unit, and 23% required mechanical ventilation.
  • 17% of patients died during hospitalization, and 17% were discharged to a temporary rehabilitation facility.
  • 11 patients (17%) died during hospitalization.
  • Age 65 years was associated with a 13.7 times higher risk of mortality.

Sources:

  • NewsRx. Data on COVID-19 Described by Researchers at Emory University (Epidemiology of Covid-19 Infection In Hospitalized End-stage Kidney Disease Patients In a Predominantly African-american Population). Proteomics Weekly. May 24, 2021; p 307.
  • Epidemiology of Covid-19 Infection In Hospitalized End-stage Kidney Disease Patients In a Predominantly African-american Population. American Journal of Nephrology, 2021.
  • Karger. American Journal of Nephrology. Allschwilerstrasse 10, Ch-4009 Basel, Switzerland. (Karger - www.karger.com/; American Journal of Nephrology - content.karger.com/ProdukteDB/produkte.asp?Aktion=JournalHome&ProduktNr=223979)

Read more