Impact of COVID‐19 on maintenance peritoneal dialysis patients and providers: A review

Abstract

AbstractThe COVID‐19 pandemic exerted complex pressures on the nephrology community. Despite multiple prior reviews on acute peritoneal dialysis during the pandemic, the effects of COVID‐19 on maintenance peritoneal dialysis patients remain underexamined. This review synthesizes and reports findings from 29 total cases of chronic peritoneal dialysis patients with COVID‐19, encompassing 3 case reports, 13 case series, and 13 cohort studies. When available, data for patients with COVID‐19 on maintenance hemodialysis are also discussed. Finally, we present a chronological timeline of evidence regarding the presence of SARS‐CoV‐2 in spent peritoneal dialysate and explore trends in telehealth as they relate to peritoneal dialysis patients during the pandemic. We conclude that the COVID‐19 pandemic has underscored the efficacy, flexibility, and utility of peritoneal dialysis.