AKI is related to mortality in COVID-19 patients without underlying kidney disease

ABSTRACT

Background: Due to its high infectivity and mortality, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has become a global public health issue. The kidneys act as critical metabolic organs, therefore, whether COVID-19 can induce renal damage is of utmost importance but remains controversial, and the prognosis of COVID-19 encountering acute kidney injury (AKI) is unknown. Moreover, the efficacy of different treatments that COVID-19 patients undergo needs to be explored. In this study, we aimed to explore these questions. Methods: A single-centered, retrospective study was conducted in which 96 patients with COVID-19 were enrolled. Epidemiological, clinical, and laboratory characteristics, as well as treatments and patient outcomes were described. Characteristics were compared between severe cases and critical cases. Relevant factors of AKI were filtrated, and the treatment efficacy was also evaluated. Results: A total of 6 patients (6.3%) died during hospitalization. Four patients (4.2%) developed AKI, among which 3 patients (75%) died. Statistical analysis indicated that AKI was not common in COVID-19 patients without underlying kidney disease, but was related to mortality. Age, severity of disease, procalcitonin, C-reactive protein and interleukin-6 were correlated with AKI onset in COVID-19 patients, while lymphocyte count and estimated glomerular filtration rate at admission were inversely related to the development of AKI. Conclusions: In conclusion, AKI is not common in COVID-19 patients without underlying kidney disease but related to mortality.