Clinical and paraclinical parameters in COVID-19 patients with nephrological disorders

Abstract

Abstract Background: In this study, we aimed to examine the relationship between kidney patients’ COVID-19 status and their symptoms, laboratory values, and ICU admission status. We also evaluated the association between COVID-19-positive kidney patients’ age, gender, smoking status, history of underlying diseases and urea and creatinine levels, and their ICU admission status and mortality. Finally, we analyzed the differences in laboratory values in kidney patients with and without a history of diabetes or cardiovascular disease. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 253 patients with a history of kidney disease were included. COVID-19 was diagnosed by positive RT-qPCR. Symptoms, laboratory findings, and outcomes were extracted from the patients’ records and statistically investigated. Results: Fever, chills, myalgia, arthralgia, cough, anorexia, nausea, fatigue, headache, mental status deterioration, and smoking were more common in COVID-19-positive kidney patients compared to COVID-19-negative ones. White blood cells (WBC), platelets, and urea were lower and hemoglobin and hematocrit were higher in the former group. WBC, urea, and blood sugar (BS) levels were higher in kidney patients with a history of cardiovascular disease compared to kidney patients without such a history. Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) was lower in the former group. Hemoglobin and hematocrit were lower in diabetic kidney patients compared to non-diabetic kidney patients. BS, triglycerides, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) were higher in the former group. History of underlying diseases and abnormal creatinine was associated with increased ICU admission and age ≥ 50, male gender and abnormal creatinine were associated with increased mortality in COVID-19-positive kidney patients. Conclusions: Smoking cessation should be encouraged in kidney patients. Fever, chills, myalgia, arthralgia, cough, anorexia, nausea, fatigue, headache, and mental status deterioration in kidney patients can indicate COVID-19 infection. Monitoring WBC and platelet counts in COVID-19-positive kidney patients, WBC, urea, and BS in kidney patients with a history of cardiovascular disease, and ESR, triglycerides, and hemoglobin in diabetic kidney patients can prove beneficial in their management. Age, gender, history of underlying diseases, and creatinine levels can be important prognostic markers in COVID-19-positive kidney patients.