Effects of COVID-19 infection: complications and mortality in chronic kidney disease and end-stage renal disease patients

Background The global burden of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is high, with prevalence being estimated at 8–16%. We aimed to detect the complications of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection in hospitalized CKD and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients on regular hemodialysis (HD). Methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted on 450 adult male and female COVID-19 patients aged 18 years or older. Patients were divided according to renal affection into three equal groups: group 1 included patients with normal kidney function tests, group 2 included those with CKD, and group 3 included ESRD patients on regular HD. Data included laboratory tests such as complete blood count (CBC), serum urea, creatinine, C-reactive protein (CRP), D-dimer, coagulation profile, serum ferritin, and liver function tests. Also, electrocardiography (ECG) and echocardiography reports were documented. Results The length of hospital stay and mortality rate were significantly higher in group 3 than in group 1. Gastrointestinal (GIT) events were significantly higher in group 3 than in groups 1 and 2. Renal events were significantly higher in group 2 than in groups 1 and 3, and they were significantly higher in group 1 than in group 3. Conclusions CKD and ESRD patients showed significantly higher mortality due to COVID-19 complications compared to group 1. Acute kidney injury (AKI) and dehydration from severe vomiting and diarrhea were the most noticeable complications among the CKD and ESRD groups. The critical disease was evident among CKD and ESRD groups through significantly prolonged hospital stay and the need for intensive care unit (ICU) admission and ventilation compared to group 1.