Comparison of immunogenicity for Sinovac-CoronaVac vaccine vs. natural infection during cancer treatment.

OBJECTIVE: Efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccines in cancer patients, especially during their active treatment, are lacking. Most of the studies in the literature compared the immunity in cancer patients with a cross-sectional cohort or retrospectively. Our study investigated Sinovac-CoronaVac COVID-19 vaccine immunogenicity and compared it with natural COVID-19 disease in cancer patients during their cancer therapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 111 patients with cancer and who are on active treatment were included in the study. This is a single-center study and was designed prospectively. Two group of patients were included in the study, natural disease and vaccinated group. RESULTS: A total of 111 patients were included in the study, 34 of whom had natural COVID-19 disease. Antibody levels following the first dose vaccine were 0.4 (0-1.9) U/ml while after the second dose of vaccine were 2.6 (1.0-7.25) U/ml. Immunogenicity levels were 82.4% in the natural disease group and 75.8% in the vaccinated group after the second shot of the vaccine. Immunogenicity rate was significantly higher in non-chemotherapy (receiving immunotehrapy/targeted therapy or biologic agent) group compared to chemotherapy drug (92.9% vs. 63.3%, p=0.004). There was a difference between the antibody levels following the first and second vaccination [median (IQR): 0.3 (0-1.0) and 3.3 (2.0-6.7), p=0.001, respectively]. CONCLUSIONS: The present study revealed that the Sinovac-CoronaVac vaccine showed an acceptable immunogenicity following two shots in cancer patients who were receiving active systemic therapy. On the other hand, natural disease immunogenicity was higher than vaccinated group.

The general characteristics of hospitalized patients with the diagnosis of COVID-19, and the relationship between presenting symptoms and clinical course: a single center experience

Objective: In this study, it was aimed to reveal the relationship between the clinical features, presenting symptoms, and prognosis of COVID-19 patients who were hospitalized in our center. Materials and Methods: 499 patients with the diagno-sis of COVID-19 followed in the service and intensive care units of Sakarya University Training and Research Hospital between March 2020 and January 2021 were included in the study. The clinical and demographical data of the patients were obtained from the patient files and hospital automation system. The obtained data were ana-lyzed statistically. Results: Of 499 patients, 171 were followed up in the ward and 328 in the intensive care unit. Follow-up of 230 patients resulted in death, while 269 patients were dis-charged. Comorbid diseases were found to be more fre-quently seen in the mortal group (p< 0.05). Mean leuko-cyte, neutrophil, c-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), ferritin, d-dimer, and troponin values were higher in the mortal group;whereas mean lymphocyte value was found to be lower (p< 0.05). While fever, cough, and other less common symptoms (diarrhea, nausea, muscle weakness, etc.) were more frequently seen in the non-mortal group (p=0.022, p=0.038, and p=0.000 respectively), shortness of breath was significantly more common in the mortal group (p=0.000). The frequency of symptoms such as sputum, fatigue, sore throat, and the headache were found to be similar in both groups (p >0.05). Conclusion: It was concluded that the clinical course of patients with dyspnea at admission may be more severe and these patients should be followed more closely.

The aggregate index of systemic inflammation may predict mortality in COVID-19 patients with chronic renal failure.

OBJECTIVE: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), was first detected in December 2019 and then spread globally, resulting in a pandemic. Initially, it was unknown if chronic kidney disease (CKD) contributed to the mortality caused by COVID-19. The immunosuppression associated with this disease may minimize the COVID-19-described hyper-inflammatory state or immunological dysfunction, and a high prevalence of comorbidities may lead to a poorer clinical prognosis. Patients with COVID-19 have abnormal circulating blood cells associated with inflammation. Risk stratification, diagnosis, and prognosis primarily rely on hematological features, such as white blood cells and their subpopulations, red cell distribution width, mean platelet volume, and platelet count, in addition to their combined ratios. In non-small-cell lung cancer, the aggregate index of systemic inflammation (AISI), (neutrophils x monocytes x platelets/lymphocytes) is evaluated. In light of the relevance of inflammation in mortality, the objective of this study is to determine the impact of AISI on the hospital mortality of CKD patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study is an observational retrospective study. Data and test outcomes of all CKD patients, stages 3-5, hospitalized for COVID-19 and followed between April and October 2021 were analyzed. RESULTS: Patients were divided into two groups according to death (Group 1-Alive, Group 2-Died). Neutrophil count, AISI and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were increased in Group-2 [10.3±4.6 vs. 7.65±4.22; p=0.001, 2,084.1 (364.8-2,577.5) vs. 628.9 (53.1-2,275); p=0.00 and 141.9 (20.5-318) vs. 84.75 (0.92-195); p=0.00; respectively]. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis demonstrated 621.1 as a cut-off value for AISI to predict hospital mortality with 81% sensitivity and 69.1% specificity [area under ROC curve 0.820 (95% CI: 0.733-0.907), p<.005]. Cox regression analysis was used to analyze the effect of risk variables on survival. In survival analysis, AISI and CRP were identified as important survival predictors [hazard ratio (HR): 1.001, 95% CI: 1-1.001; p=0.00 and HR: 1.009, 95% CI: 1.004-1.013; p=0.00]. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated the discriminative effectiveness of AISI in predicting disease mortality in COVID-19 patients with CKD. Quantification of AISI upon admission might assist in the early detection and treatment of individuals with a bad prognosis.

Investigation of long-term follow-up results of COVID-19 disease in kidney transplant patients and the effect of inactive COVID-19 vaccine

Objective: We aimed to evaluate the long-term graft functions of kidney transplant recepients (KTR) who have been cured of the COVID-19 and to investigate the role of inactivated COVID-19 vaccine in the clinical course of the disease. Materials and Methods: KTR who had COVID-19 pneumonia between March 2020 and September 2021 were included in the study.. The clinical course of the disease was evaluated in vaccinated patients and compared with those who were not vaccinated. The laboratory information of the patients at the time of admission to the hospital, 6 months and 12 months after the disease was recorded. Results: Of the 83 patients included, 67.5% were male. COVID-19 disease developed in 20 patients after vaccination. Vaccine;it decreased the development of acute kidney injury (AKI) 5.9 fold and hospitalization in the intensive care unit (ICU) 1.4 times fold (p < 0.05). In the follow-up, 10 patients died at the first admission to the hospital and no late death was recorded in the first year. Dialysis treatment was started in 5 patients due to graft loss. Conclusion: In kidney transplant patients, graft dysfunction may develop after COVID-19 infection. However, the inactivated COVID-19 vaccine;it can reduce the risks of hospitalization, AKI, and ICU admission.

The effect of thrombosis-related laboratory values on mortality in COVID-19 infection.

OBJECTIVE: COVID-19 may cause thrombosis in both venous and arterial systems. Familiarity with the signs and symptoms of thrombosis and its treatment is essential in treating COVID-19 infection and its complications. D-Dimer and mean platelet volume (MPV) are measurements related to the development of thrombosis. This study investigates whether MPV and D-Dimer values could be used to determine the risk of thrombosis and mortality in the COVID-19 early stages. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 424 patients who were COVID-19 positive, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines, were randomly and retrospectively included in the study. Demographic and clinical characteristics such as age, gender, and length of hospitalization were obtained from the digital records of participants. Participants were divided into living and deceased groups. The patients' biochemical, hormonal, and hematological parameters were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: White blood cells (WBC), neutrophils, and monocytes were significantly different in the two groups (p-value <0.001), and their values were lower in the living group than in the deceased group. MPV median values did not differ according to prognosis (p-value = 0.994). While the median value was 9.9 in the survivors, it was 10 in the deceased. Creatinine, procalcitonin, ferritin, and the number of hospitalization days in living patients were significantly lower than in patients who died (p-value <0.001). Median values of D-dimer (mg/L) differ according to prognosis (p-value <0.001). While the median value was 0.63 in the survivors, it was found as 438 in the deceased. CONCLUSIONS: Our results did not show any significant relationship between the mortality of COVID-19 patients and their MPV levels. However, a significant association between D-Dimer and mortality in COVID-19 patients was observed.

The significance of a novel inflammatory biomarker, presepsin, in predicting disease prognosis in patients with COVID-19.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims at determining the significance of a novel inflammatory biomarker, presepsin, in predicting disease prognosis in patients with COVID-19. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This retrospective study was concluded at the University Hospital between April and August 2020. The study involved 88 COVID-19 patients (48 men and 40 women). The patients were categorized into two groups: the patients admitted to the COVID-19 clinic, described as the moderate COVID-19 patients (Group-1; n=44), and those admitted to the internal medicine outpatient clinic, who were the mild COVID-19 patients (Group-2; n=44). The groups were compared using inflammatory markers: presepsin, C-Reactive Protein to Albumin Ratio, Neutrophil to Lymphocyte Ratio, and procalcitonin. RESULTS: Serum presepsin levels (195.29 vs. 52.12 pg/ml) were significantly higher in the Group-1 compared to the Group-2 (p=0.001). The gender distribution and average age were similar in both groups (p > 0.05). While ferritin, lactate dehydrogenase, D-Dimer, platelet lymphocyte ratio, C-Reactive Protein to Albumin Ratio (p=0.001), erythrocyte sedimentation ratio, C-Reactive Protein and presepsin were significantly higher in the Group-1 compared to Group-2 (p<0.05), while hemoglobin and lymphocyte were significantly lower in the Group-1 than in Group-2 (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Serum presepsin levels were found to be significantly higher in moderate clinical group COVID-19 patients compared to mild group. Presepsin, a new inflammatory biomarker, may be useful in predicting the prognosis and early treatment of COVID-19 infection.

The novel biomarker, neopterin, can predict the severity of COVID-19.

OBJECTIVE: SARS-CoV-2 infection primarily affects T-lymphocytes, particularly CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. However, there is a need for simpler and less expensive laboratory tests with predictive values comparable to CD4+ cell counts. Thus, the goal of this study was to investigate the role of neopterin levels in predicting intensive care and mortality in coronavirus disease patients in 2019. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This retrospective study included 87 hospitalized patients who were diagnosed with COVID-19. Patients were divided into two groups: those receiving intensive care (Severe COVID-19; S-COVID-19) and those receiving non-intensive care (Moderate COVID-19; M-COVID-19). Patients' clinical characteristics, serum neopterin levels, and other laboratory data were compared across groups. RESULTS: The average age was 63.9±155.2 years, and 44 (%) of the participants were male. WBC (p = 0.008), neutrophil (p = 0.002), HDL (p = 0.009), ferritin, calcium, albumin, LDH, APTT, lymphocyte, INR, D-dimer, troponin, prothrombin time sedimentation, and PaO2 (p = 0.001) were all associated with death. The neopterin level in the M-COVID-19 group was 3 (min-max; 3.1-5.9) and 3.2 (2.3-7) in the S-COVID-19 group, with no statistically significant difference (p = 0.456). Gender differences between groups were not significant (p = 0.183). According to the ROC analysis, if parameters such as age, D-Dimer, troponin, ferritin, albumin, LDH, CRP, procalcitonin, and PaO2 exceed the cut-off values and lymphocyte levels are below, it can predict the need for intensive care and mortality in COVID-19 patients. CONCLUSIONS: Although we did not find statistically significant results with neopterin in terms of mortality in COVID-19 individuals in our study, more thorough, prospective, randomized controlled studies with expanded patient populations at various phases of the disease are needed.

DOES ANGIOTENSIN II RECEPTOR BLOCKERS/ANGIOTENSIN CONVERTING ENZYME INHIBITORS INCREASE THE RISK OF COVID-19 INFECTED PATIENTS?

Objective: The study aims to determine whether ACEI/ARB use associated with an increased probability of viral infection and investigate whether there are differences in disease severity and mortality between ACEI/ARB users and non-ACEI/ARB users. Material and methods: In this retrospective study, 330 patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 disease were divided into two groups: patients using ACEI/ARB Blocker and patients not using it. Baseline features and prognoses were compared for the two groups. Results: The rate of intensive care hospitalization in the group using ACE/ARB was significantly (p<0.05) higher than the group not using ACEI/ARB on the day of hospitalization in the intensive care unit. The degree of clinical classification in the group using ACEI/ARB was significantly (p<0.05) higher than the group not using ACE/ARB. The mortality rate in the group using ACE/ARB was significantly (p<0.05) higher than the group not using ACEI/ARB. Conclusion: Although it has been determined that the use of antihypertensive ACEI/ARB in COVID 19 patients is associated with mortality and survival, it has been concluded that the continuation of ACEI/ARB use would be more appropriate for the continuation of antihypertensive treatment.

Prealbumin: a new biomarker for predicting prognosis in patients with severe COVID-19

Objective: To analyse whether prealbumin could be a new biomarker for predicting mortality in severe COVID-19 patients. Study Design: An observation study. Place and Duration of Study: Intensive care units (ICU) of Sakarya University Training and Research Hospital, Sakarya, Turkey, from October 2020 to December 2020. Methodology: The data of 149 patients, who were admitted to the ICU were collected and analysed retrospectively. Routine blood samples were collected from all patients at the time of admission to the ICU;and 102 patients with the mortal course and 47 patients with the non-mortal course were included in the study. The data obtained from these patients were analyzed in the biostatistics programme.

URIC ACID AND MORTALITY RELATIONSHIP IN COVID-19

Aim: The present study aims to investigate and compare the uric acid of the recovered/deceased and ICU/ward COVID-19 patients. Method: The study was conducted with 397 patients with COVID-19 diagnosis. Information about 157 deceased and 240 recovered COVID-19 patients was analyzed retrospectively. Relationship between serum uric acid, Na, K, urea, and creatinine was investigated between patients in the mortal/non-mortal and ICU/ward group. Result: Of the total 397 patients in the study, 158 (39,8%) were female and 239 (60,2%) were male. Statistically significant difference in mortality was found between males and females in order (107-239, 44.8%/50-158,31, 7%;p=0.009). Total mean age (std deviation), was 63.77±16,1, the mean age in the deceased group was 71,41±11, 39, and it was 58.78±16,8 in the survived group and that is statistically significant too (p=0.001). The mean values of Uric acid with order survivor and deceased group ((4,867±1,81 (n=222)- 7, 086±3,24(n=148), P=0,000). Mean age in ICU group 69.53±12,52, in the ward group 56.24±17,1 and this age differentiation between two groups is statistically significant (p=0,001), There is a statistically significant difference in ICU care or ward was found between males and females in order (107-239, 44.8%/50-158,31,7%;p=0.009). The mean values of Uric acid with order ICU care and ward group ((6,52 ±3,1(n=217) -4,66±1,46 (n=153), P=0,000)). Serum K+ (Potassium) (4,164±0,5 (n=239)) - 4,357±0,7 (n=157), P=0,002)) levels are higher in deceased groups. The cutoff value of uric acid, which may pose a risk of mortality, was found to be 5,15 mg/dl. And the cutoff value of creatinine, which may pose a risk of mortality, was found to be 0,9 mg/dl. Conclusion: The cutoff value of uric acid, which may pose a risk of mortality, was found to be 5,15 mg/dl and the cutoff value of creatinine, which may pose a risk of mortality, was found to be 0,9 mg/dl. Advanced age, uric acid, creatinine, and potassium increase were found to be associated with mortality. © 2022 A. CARBONE Editore. All rights reserved.

Prealbumin: A New Biomarker for Predicting Prognosis in Patients with Severe COVID-19

Objective: To analyse whether prealbumin could be a new biomarker for predicting mortality in severe COVID-19 patients. Study Design: An observation study. Place and Duration of Study: Intensive care units (ICU) of Sakarya University Training and Research Hospital, Sakarya, Turkey, from October 2020 to December 2020. Methodology: The data of 149 patients, who were admitted to the ICU were collected and analysed retrospectively. Routine blood samples were collected from all patients at the time of admission to the ICU;and 102 patients with the mortal course and 47 patients with the non-mortal course were included in the study. The data obtained from these patients were analyzed in the biostatistics programme. Results: The median age of all patients was 68 years;while 94 of them were males (63.1%) and 55 of them were females (36.9%). Median levels of potassium (K) (p=0.04), uric acid (p=0.001), C-reactive protein (CRP) (p=0.004), and procalcitonin (PCT) (p<0.001) were significantly higher and median level of prealbumin (p=0.002) was significantly lower in the deceased group. The cut-off level of prealbumin for mortality was found as 0.085 gIL (p=0.002). Further analysis revealed that the risk of mortality was found as 2.193 times more in patients with prealbumin levels of <0.085 g/L (Odds Ratio (OR): 2.193, 95% CI: 1.084-4.434). Conclusion: As a result of this study, it was found that patients with lower levels of prealbumin at the time of admission to the ICU have a higher risk for mortality. It was showed that prealbumin can be a useful biomarker for predicting mortality in patients with severe COVID-19.

An assessment of emergency department visits for cardiovascular diseases in the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic in Istanbul

Objectives: The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has had a severe impact with an excess of one hundred million cases and over two million deaths worldwide. Countries have adopted different paths toward 'flattening the curve';however, many countries observed a common trend of people avoiding emergency departments (ED) for varying reasons. This study aims to investigate the ED utilization patterns of patients with cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in the early phases of COVID-19 in Istanbul, Turkey.

Super levels and covid-19: Is there a relationship between supar levels and prognosis of covid-19 infection?

Objective: SuPAR is known as a marker for inflammation. In this study, we aimed to analyse suPAR levels and its correlation with disease prognosis in COVID-19 patients. Method: Demographical, clinical and laboratory data of the 36 patients were recorded. Existence of suPAR levels and other parameters along with prognosis was studied. Result: Of 36 patients included in this study, 15 were female (42%) and 21 were male (58%). The median age of the patients with mortality was 73 (min-max ,IR;49-88, 25), and the median age of the patients with no mortality was 72 (min-max ,IR;47- 83, 21) revealing a statistically non-significant difference (p=0,596). Among lab tests, hemoglobin (p=0,044), urea (p=0,011), troponin(p=0,033), LDH (p=0,005), and procalcitonin (p=0,036) were significantly associated with mortality. Median suPAR level was 102 (min-max, IR;29-540, 274) for the patients with no mortality whereas, median suPAR level was 61 (min-max, IR;29-540, 355) for the patients with mortality, and the difference was statistically non-significant (p=0,607). Conclusion: SuPAR levels seem to be ineffective to predict disease severity and prognosis of COVID-19. More randomised controlled trials with larger groups are needed to clarify the association of suPAR levels and COVID-19. © 2021 A. CARBONE Editore. All rights reserved.

Is It Possible To Predict Mortality Using Initial Data Of Adult Patients Hospitalized with COVID-19? A Mortality Prediction Model in the Early Phase of COVID-19

Objective: In this study, we aimed to determine the factors that contribute to the early determination of mortality risk in patients hospitalized with COVID-19. Methods: We included 941 adult inpatients (474 male [50.4%], mean age, 53.5 +/- 17.0. The patients were divided into two groups: the discharge group and the death group. Epidemiological data, medical history, underlying comorbidities, laboratory findings, chest computed tomographic scans, real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction detection results, and survival data were obtained with retrospective recordings on admission and follow-up. The statistical relationship between survival data and parameters was analyzed. A mathematical model was created from the data of both groups. Results: While 863 patients survived, 78 were non-survivors. During the study period, the preliminary case fatality rate of the inpatients was 8.3%. The mean age of the non-survivors was 71.7 +/- 11.2 SD (P<0.001). Laboratory findings showed that mortality was high in those with high D-dimer, sodium, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), troponin, creatine kinase-myocardial band (CK-MB), ferritin, blood lactate, activated partial thromboplastin time, and high blood glucose levels (P<0.05). Furthermore, mortality was high in patients with low albumin, lymphocyte, and platelet levels (P<0.05). The logistic regression model showed that advanced age, hypertension, high D-Dimer (>1000 ng/ml), high C-reactive protein (CRP), CK-MB, and LDH, and low lymphocyte count were associated with poor prognosis. Conclusions: According to week 1 data of patients with COVID-19, advanced age, hypertension, D-Dimer, CRP, CK-MB, high LDH, and low lymphocyte were associated with poor prognosis. We believe that this model will be useful in predicting patient mortality.

The Effectiveness of Favipiravir Treatment in Severe COVID-19 Pneumonia: a Single Centre Experience

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of favipiravir (FVP) in severe COVID-19. Methods: This is a retrospective study of 142 COVID-19 patients with severe pneumonia signs, who received inpatient treatment between March 15 and May 20, 2020. The patients were divided into two groups according to the use of FVP treatment;group 1 (n = 99) included patients who treated with FVP and group 2 (n = 43) who didn't receive FVP. Results: Mean age was 66.47 +/- 11.89 in group 1, and 68.58 +/- 14.78 in group 2. Forty patients (40.4%) in group 1 and 22 (51.2%) in group 2 were treated in the intensive care unit (P > 0.05). The proportion of eosinophil, tendency of increasing thrombocyte counts and eosinophil/neutrophil ratio in FVP group was significantly higher than non-FVP group (p < 0.05). In Group 1, patients had significantly reduced erythroid series, and elevated uric acid levels as side effects of FVP. With respect to complications during hospitalization, there was no significant difference among the groups for mechanical ventilator requirement, acute kidney injury, dialysis requirement and sepsis (P > 0.05). The mortality rates in Group 1 (n = 26 [26.3%]) were lower than those in group 2 (n = 16 [37.2%]), but it was not statistically significant. Conclusions: While the treatment of COVID-19 pneumonia options were limited during the initial stages of the pandemic, the FVP may be effective in severe cases. To confirm this effect, randomized controlled studies are needed in patients of all disease severities.

The prognostic significance of erythrocyte sedimentation rate in COVID-19

OBJECTIVE: There are limited data about the significance of erythrocyte sedimentation rate as a single prognostic parameter for the prognosis and mortality of COVID-19. This study aimed to investigate the diagnostic utility of erythrocyte sedimentation rate as a prognostic factor for the disease severity and mortality in patients with COVID-19. METHODS: A total of 148 consecutive patients with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 and hospitalized at the intensive care unit or non-the intensive care unit were included in the study. The patients were allocated to groups as severe/critical disease versus nonsevere disease and survivors and nonsurvivors. The prognostic role and predictable values of erythrocyte sedimentation rate were analyzed. RESULTS: Erythrocyte sedimentation rate was found to be higher among patients with severe/critical disease compared to those with nonsevere disease (p<0.001) and among nonsurvivors compared to survivors (p<0.001). The logistic regression analysis showed that erythrocyte sedimentation rate was an independent parameter for predicting disease severity and mortality. The role of erythrocyte sedimentation rate in the assessment of severity and mortality in patients with COVID-19 was analyzed using the receiver operating characteristic curve and was found to be significant in both. The analyses suggested that the optimum erythrocyte sedimentation rate cutoff point for disease severity and mortality were 52.5 mm/h with 65.5% sensitivity and 76.3% specificity and 56.5 mm/h with 66.7% sensitivity and 72.5% specificity. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that erythrocyte sedimentation rate was an independent prognostic factor for severity and mortality in patients with COVID-19.

The effectiveness of dexamethasone on the prognosis of dialysis patients with severe COVID-19

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of dexamethasone in dialysis patients with COVID-19 and whether it predicts mortality. METHODS: This is a comparative cross-sectional study of 113 consecutive patients with COVID-19 with severe pneumonia signs. The patients were divided into two groups according to the use of dexamethasone treatment: group 1 (n=45) included patients who were treated with dexamethasone and group 2 (n=68) who did not receive dexamethasone. RESULTS: The mean age of both groups was 67.0+/-10.6 and 67.2+/-13.0 years, respectively (p=0.947). With respect to demographic and laboratory findings, there were no significant differences between the two groups (p>0.05). The hospitalization time of patients in group 1 was longer than that in group 2 (11 [7-17] days vs. 8 [5.3-14] days, p=0.093]. The 28-day survival rate was 54.2% in the group receiving dexamethasone treatment and 79.5% in the group not receiving dexamethasone treatment (p=0.440). CONCLUSION: Dexamethasone did not reduce mortality rates and the requirement for intensive care unit in dialysis patients with COVID-19. Larger prospective randomized clinical trials are required to associate personalized medicine with the corticosteroid treatment to select suitable patients who are more likely to show a benefit.