Assessment of Prevalence and Clinical Features of COVID-۱۹ in Patients Undergoing Maintenance Hemodialysis: Reports from Two Hemodialysis Centers in Iran

Introduction: Since the outbreak of COVID-۱۹ in December ۲۰۱۹, patients with End-Stage Kidney Disease (ESKD) have been deemed one of the most vulnerable populations due to their numerous comorbidities.Methods: The study was a retrospective cohort study conducted between March ۲nd, ۲۰۲۰, and September ۲۱st, ۲۰۲۰. It included ۲۴۰ patients who underwent MHD at Shahid Beheshti and Vali-Asr Hospitals affiliated with Abadan University of Medical Sciences. Out of these patients, ۴۴ were diagnosed with COVID-۱۹ based on their Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) test results or chest CT scan findings. Demographic, clinical, laboratory and radiologic findings of these patients were collected.Results: COVID-۱۹ was diagnosed in ۴۴ individuals, which accounts for ۱۸.۳۳%, and eight patients have died, which is ۱۸.۱% of the total COVID-۱۹ cases. A total of ۳۹ patients were tested through rRT-PCR, out of which ۱۵ (۳۴.۰۹%) tested positive. Among the ۴۴ patients, ۲۶ were males (۵۹.۰۹%), and ۱۸ were females (۴۰.۹%). The most common symptoms were fever (۳۶.۳۶%), shortness of breath (۳۴.۰۹%), cough (۲۵%), and fatigue (۱۳.۶۳%). Additionally, ۱۸.۱۸% of patients were asymptomatic. Chest CT scans revealed ground glass opacity, consolidation, and pleural effusion in ۵۴.۸۳%, ۴۸.۳۸%, and ۲۹.۰۳% of cases, respectively. However, it was normal in ۹.۶۷% of patients. Peripheral and central pulmonary involvement was found in ۷۰.۹۶% and ۱۹.۳۵% of patients, respectively. The mean single pool KT/V (SpKT/V) was calculated as ۱.۱۰±۰.۳۹.Conclusions: Based on our findings, the COVID-۱۹ outbreak is a significant cause for concern for in-center hemodialysis patients. These individuals are particularly vulnerable due to their underlying health conditions. Furthermore, the limitations in maintaining social distancing, increased public exposure, and pre-existing lung involvement in these patients can further complicate their management and potentially impact their overall outcome.

کلیدواژه ها:

COVID-۱۹ ، Hemodialysis ، clinical features ، CT scan