Effect of kidney disease on COVID-19 outcomes

Editor's Note

This study from Columbia University Medical Center, New York City, which was presented November 5 at the ASN [American Society of Nephrology] Kidney Week 2022 in Orlando, examines the effect of kidney disease and other conditions on COVID-19 outcomes during four waves of the pandemic in New York City. A total of 64,246 COVID-19 cases were included in the analysis, with 8% being severe and 18% requiring hospitalization.

Among the findings:

• Severe COVID-19 risk was tied to pre-existing chronic kidney disease (CKD), heart disease, diabetes, and hypertension in most waves; and lung disease, obesity, and cancer in at least one wave.
• Acute kidney injury occurred in 49% of severe cases and 35% of hospitalized severe cases.
• Acute kidney injury risk was linked with heart failure, obesity, diabetes, and cancer in most waves; and CKD, coronary artery disease, hypertension, and stroke in one or two waves.

Pre-existing CKD was one of the most consistent predictors of COVID-19 severity, complications, and poor outcomes across the four waves of the pandemic, the authors say.