Is Previous eGFR a Reliable Risk Factor for COVID-19 Death? Single Centre Analysis in Chronic Kidney Disease Patients in Northern Italy

Abstract

COVID-19 remains a major world health problem, and its clinical manifestations can vary from an oligosymptomatic form to severe pulmonary infection, which can require invasive ventilation and is strictly related to death. Identifying risk factors for adverse outcomes is essential for performing adequate care and contrasting high mortality. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a widespread comorbidity and is a known risk factor for death during SARS-CoV-2 infection. The present study evaluates the death risk assessment during the COVID-19 pandemic in (CKD) patients, considering the baseline value of an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and other possible risk factors. We retrospectively assessed the mortality risk in 150 patients with COVID-19 between 1 October and 31 December 2020. We evaluated eGFR, haemoglobin, albumin, uric acid, cholesterol, triglycerides, and significant risk factors, such as diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease in every patient. We had 53 deaths (35.3%) during the observational period, significantly related to age, eGFR, albumin, and baseline nephropathy. In the multivariable analysis, only baseline eGFR and age were independent predictors of death during SARS-CoV-2 infection, with an OR equal to 0.96 and 1.067, respectively. In conclusion, by our analysis, age, and the baseline eGFR were the only reliable predictors of death during COVID-19 in CKD patients.

Acute Kidney Injury and Blood Purification Techniques in Severe COVID-19 Patients

“…Age and pre-existing comorbidities, such as a history of diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease (CKD), and cardiovascular (CV) disease, raise the risk of AKI. Moreover, CKD is an independent risk factor for the development of severe forms of COVID-19, and it is associated with worse future outcomes, including pulmonary infection; all-cause death [ 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 ]. The high risk of AKI among patients with COVID-19 stimulates a better comprehension of the mechanisms underlying kidney damage with the aim of establishing the appropriate individual treatment and improving prognosis in these frail patients.…”