Evolution of renal function after Acute Kidney Injury in a patient's cohort with COVID19 pneumonia

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Sars-cov2 infection is commonly associated with acute kidney injury (AKI) which may be observed in up to 40% of cases. Pathogenesis of AKI during COVID-19 is yet not perfectly understood. Many risk factors have been proposed associated with AKI occurrence during COVID-19 infection. To date there is still limited data of AKI progression and long-term outcomes among these patients. We aim to describe risk factors for development of AKI and the progression of their renal function up to six months after hospital discharge. Methodology: This is a retrospective observational study in a tertiary car nephrology department in Barcelona, Spain. We evaluated data from 71 hospitalized patients with AKI occurrence during COVID-19 infection between 1st of March and 30th May 2020. Analysis of baseline characteristic, need of renal replacement therapy (RRT) and inflammatory parameters has been performed. Result(s) Of 71 patients (74,6% males;median age 71,9+/-11,15 years), 43 (60,6%) needed admission in the intensive care unit (ICU) for hemodynamic/respiratory support and 34 (47,9%) died during hospitalization. 13 (18,3%) needed RRT. 3 (23%) patients requiring RRT died during COVID-19 infection and 9 (69,2%) partially recovered renal function. Baseline serum creatinine of patients without RRT need during follow-up was 0,90+/-0,16 mg/dl with a peak serum creatinine 2,8+/-1,5 mg/dl. Patients that needed RRT support had a baseline serum creatinine 0,98+/-0,87 mg/dl and a peak serum creatinine of 4,34+/-3,35 mg/dl. Creatinine at discharge was of 1,5+/-0,59 mg/dl in the group of patients needing RRT and 1,2+/-0,52 mg/dl. At six months follow-up no significant differences were found in creatinine levels from discharge (p=0,65). Very poor correlation was observed between inflammatory parameters and serum creatinine peak levels (Dimer D levels and Serum creatinine peak R2=0,034;C reactive protein and creatinine peak levels R2=0,15 and Interleukin 6 and creatinine peak levels R2=0,042). Conclusion(s) COVID-19 infection is associated with AKI with and increased risk of chronic kidney disease after infection is resolved. No differences between renal function at discharge and at 6 months of follow-up was observed. No correlation between the studied inflammatory parameters and the worsening of renal function was observed.