Presentation and Outcomes of Patients with ESKD and COVID-19

Abstract

Significance Statement: Immunosuppression and a high prevalence of comorbidities among patients with ESKD on dialysis raise concerns that such patients may have an elevated risk of severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, the outcomes for COVID-19 in this patient population are not clear. In their study of 59 patients with ESKD and COVID-19 receiving dialysis at a New York City medical center, the authors found that although the presentation of patients on dialysis with COVID-19 was similar to that of the general population, these patients have poor outcomes, including 31% overall mortality and 75% mortality among those requiring mechanical ventilation. In addition, higher levels of inflammatory markers associated with severe disease. This information will help inform care of patients on dialysis who develop COVID-19 and reinforces the importance of infection control measures when treating this vulnerable population. Background: The relative immunosuppression and high prevalence of comorbidities in patients with ESKD on dialysis raise concerns that they may have an elevated risk of severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), but outcomes for COVID-19 in such patients are unclear. Methods: To examine presentation and outcomes of COVID-19 in patients with ESKD on dialysis, we retrospectively collected clinical data on 59 patients on dialysis who were hospitalized with COVID-19. We used Wilcoxon rank sum and Fischer exact tests to compare patients who died versus those still living. Results: Two of the study’s 59 patients were on peritoneal dialysis, and 57 were on hemodialysis. Median age was 63 years, with high prevalence of hypertension (98%) and diabetes (69%). Patients who died were significantly older than those still living (median age, 75 versus 62 years) and had a higher median Charlson comorbidity index (8 versus 7). The most common presenting symptoms were fever (49%) and cough (39%); initial radiographs most commonly showed multifocal or bilateral opacities (59%). By end of follow-up, 18 patients (31%) died a median 6 days after hospitalization, including 75% of patients who required mechanical ventilation. Eleven of those who died had advanced directives against intubation. The remaining 41 patients (69%) were discharged home a median 8 days after admission. The median initial white blood cell count was significantly higher in patients who died compared with those still living (7.5 versus 5.7×10 3/μ l), as was C-reactive protein (163 versus 80 mg/L). Conclusions: The association of COVID-19 with high mortality in patients with ESKD on dialysis reinforces the need to take appropriate infection control measures to prevent COVID-19 spread in this vulnerable population.