Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a rapidly changing disease. Therefore, in this study, to evaluate the evolution of COVID-19 in hemodialysis patients, we retrospectively compared patients affected by COVID-19 during the first pandemic waves of 2020 (from March to December 2020-Group 1) with patients with COVID-19 from September 2021 to February 2022 (Group 2) after the full completion of vaccination. Group 1 was constituted of 44 patients (69.3 ± 14.6 years), and Group 2 of 55 patients (67.4 ± 15.3 years). Among Group 2, 52 patients (95%) were vaccinated. Patients of Group 2, compared with Group 1, were more often asymptomatic (38 vs. 10%, p = 0.002) and reported less frequent fever and pulmonary involvement. At diagnosis, Group 2 showed a significantly higher number of lymphocytes and lower levels of circulating IL-6 (16 ± 13.3 vs. 41 ± 39.4 pg/mL, p = 0.002). Moreover, in Group 2, inflammatory parameters significantly improved after a few days from diagnosis. Patients of Group 2 presented a lower hospitalization rate (12.7 vs. 38%, p = 0.004), illness duration (18.8 ± 7.7 vs. 29.2 ± 19.5 days, p = 0.005), and mortality rate (5.4 vs. 25%, p = 0.008). Finally, responders to the vaccination (80% of vaccinated patients) compared with nonresponders showed a reduction in infection duration and hospitalization (5 vs. 40%, p = 0.018). In conclusion, we found that COVID-19 presentation and course in hemodialysis patients have improved over time after the implementation of vaccine campaigns. However, due to the evolving nature of the disease, active surveillance is necessary.
The Evolving Scenario of COVID-19 in Hemodialysis Patients
Esposito, Pasquale;Picciotto, Daniela;Cappadona, Francesca;Russo, Elisa;Falqui, Valeria;Mallia, Laura;Cavagnaro, Sara;Viazzi, Francesca
2022-01-01
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a rapidly changing disease. Therefore, in this study, to evaluate the evolution of COVID-19 in hemodialysis patients, we retrospectively compared patients affected by COVID-19 during the first pandemic waves of 2020 (from March to December 2020-Group 1) with patients with COVID-19 from September 2021 to February 2022 (Group 2) after the full completion of vaccination. Group 1 was constituted of 44 patients (69.3 ± 14.6 years), and Group 2 of 55 patients (67.4 ± 15.3 years). Among Group 2, 52 patients (95%) were vaccinated. Patients of Group 2, compared with Group 1, were more often asymptomatic (38 vs. 10%, p = 0.002) and reported less frequent fever and pulmonary involvement. At diagnosis, Group 2 showed a significantly higher number of lymphocytes and lower levels of circulating IL-6 (16 ± 13.3 vs. 41 ± 39.4 pg/mL, p = 0.002). Moreover, in Group 2, inflammatory parameters significantly improved after a few days from diagnosis. Patients of Group 2 presented a lower hospitalization rate (12.7 vs. 38%, p = 0.004), illness duration (18.8 ± 7.7 vs. 29.2 ± 19.5 days, p = 0.005), and mortality rate (5.4 vs. 25%, p = 0.008). Finally, responders to the vaccination (80% of vaccinated patients) compared with nonresponders showed a reduction in infection duration and hospitalization (5 vs. 40%, p = 0.018). In conclusion, we found that COVID-19 presentation and course in hemodialysis patients have improved over time after the implementation of vaccine campaigns. However, due to the evolving nature of the disease, active surveillance is necessary.
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