Acute kidney injury in hospitalized patients with COVID-19: A single center experience

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical features and outcomes of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) who experienced acute kidney injury (AKI) during intensive care unit (ICU) hospitalization. Materials and methods: Between March 01, 2020 and June 30, 2020, a total of 49 patients (28 males, 21 females; mean age: 75.5±12.5 years; range, 21 to 92 years) with COVID-19 PCR positive who were hospitalized with COVID-19 pneumonia in the ICU and developed AKI were evaluated with demographics, laboratory data, treatment, and outcome. The prognostic nutritional index (PNI), which is calculated using the serum albumin concentration and the total lymphocytic count was also evaluated. All patients were treated with favipiravir+low molecular weight heparin; laboratory tests were recorded before and after favipiravir treatment. Results: Nine (18.4%) patients survived to hospital discharge. The mean PNI of the patients who survived was higher than in non-survivors. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), procalcitonin, ferritin, and C-reactive protein (CRP) results were higher in non-survivors. When we compare the PNI results, the mean PNI was lower after the favipiravir treatment. Leucocyte, neutrophil count, and neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio results were higher after the treatment. Creatinine, LDH, procalcitonin, ferritin, and CRP results were higher after the treatment in non-survivors. Conclusion: Acute kidney injury was related to a significant mortality rate in COVID-19 hospitalized patients. Prognostic nutritional index may be a valuable clinical marker for predicting survival in COVID-19 patients.