COVID-19 Infection in Hemodialysis Patients, Incidence, Risk Factors and Mortality. Single Centre Study

Abstract

Background: Hemodialysis patients are not only prone to acquire COVID-19 infection but also more likely to suffer a higher rate of morbidity and mortality. This study aims to report the incidence and mortality rate of COVID-19 infection in our hemodialysis patients and to determine risk factors. Methods: This is an observational, retrospective study conducted in the dialysis unit of Dubai Hospital. Our target population was hemodialysis patients who tested positive for COVID infection (PCR assay of the nasopharyngeal swab) from 1st April 2020 to 31st August 2021. Our primary outcome was to study the mortality rate associated with COVID-19 infection in dialysis patients in Dubai hospital. Our secondary objectives were to study the incidence and determine risk factors for the severity of infection. Patient demographics and clinical features were collected from medical record software, i.e., EPIC. Univariate Cox regression analysis was performed to evaluate potential risk factors for mortality in our cohort. Results: 72 out of 250 (28.8%) hemodialysis patients acquired COVID infection during the study period, the median age was 54.32 (15-93) years, and 56.94% (n=41) were male. The most common comorbid was hypertension (59.72%), while the main symptom at presentation was shortness of breath (25%). One-third of patients required a different form of oxygen therapy, and 11.11% of patients were mechanically ventilated. The mortality rate was 16.6%. High median age, ischemic heart disease, low absolute lymphocyte count, and high levels of ferritin, LDH, and procalcitonin, as well as mechanical ventilation, were statistically significant risk factors associated with mortality. Conclusion: The overall outcome of COVID infection in our hemodialysis patients was better compared to the hemodialysis population from other parts of the world.