Ferritin and procalcitonin in COVID-19 associated acute kidney injury – gender disparities, but similar outcomes

Abstract

Abstract Background: Acute kidney injury is a severe complication of COVID-19. Both COVID-19 and related acute kidney injury are reported in the literature to be more prevalent and more severe in males. Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of the COVID-19 associated acute kidney injury cases in order to search for differences between genders regarding patients’ and renal outcome. Results: 250 patients with acute kidney injury were included in the study: 93 women (37.20%), 157 men (62.80%). There were no differences between sexes regarding age. Diabetes mellitus was significantly more present in women. Peak ferritin and procalcitonin levels were significantly higher in men, but other severity markers for COVID-19 did not differ between genders. There were no differences between sexes regarding history of chronic kidney disease, timing of acute kidney injury, need for dialysis or recovery of renal function. ICU admission and in-hospital mortality were similar between men and women. Conclusions: In our study, COVID-19 related-AKI was more prevalent in men than in women, but the patients’ and renal outcome were similar. Significantly higher ferritin and procalcitonin serum levels registered in male patients when compared to women may have additional explanations beside more severe SARS-CoV-2 infection in males.