Factors Affecting Mortality in COVID-19 Patients with Pre-Existing Chronic Kidney Disease

Abstract

The emergence of COVID-19 triggered a global health crisis, sparking concerns within the medical community about its interaction with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and the heightened vulnerability of individuals with compromised renal function to severe viral infection and mortality. This retrospective study encompassed all adult patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 and pre-existing CKD admitted between May 2020 and May 2023. Their demographic data, relevant clinical parameters, and laboratory values were collected. Kaplan-Meier curve analysis and Log Rank test were employed to compare survival times between CKD patients and those developing acute kidney injury (AKI), while Cox regression analyses were conducted to pinpoint factors influencing the hazard of a fatal outcome. The study, involving 150 COVID-19 patient records with pre-existing CKD, revealed that male gender, advanced age, requirement for invasive ventilation, and elevated levels of inflammatory markers such as total leukocyte count, lactate dehydrogenase, C-reactive protein, D-dimer, and IL-6 significantly increased the risk of death. These findings underscore the necessity for tailored care and meticulous management in COVID-19 patients with coexisting CKD, emphasizing the importance of addressing factors such as gender, age, and inflammatory status to mitigate mortality risks effectively.