Comparison of all renal replacement therapy modalities in terms of COVID-19 infection rate & mortality in the COVID-19 pandemic and importance of home therapies

Kahvecioglu S., Bilen N., Celik H., GÜL C. B., Usta M., Aktas N., ...More

THERAPEUTIC APHERESIS AND DIALYSIS, vol.27, no.3, pp.402-411, 2023 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 27 Issue: 3
  • Publication Date: 2023
  • Doi Number: 10.1111/1744-9987.13930
  • Journal Name: THERAPEUTIC APHERESIS AND DIALYSIS
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, MEDLINE
  • Page Numbers: pp.402-411
  • Bursa Uludag University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Background This study aimed to compare the infection rate and infection-related mortality among all renal replacement therapies during the COVID-19 pandemics. Methods One thousand three hundred thirty-six end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients who had applied for renal replacement therapy between March 2020 and January 2021 were included in the study. COVID-19 infection and mortality rates were compared between patient groups. Results The COVID-19 infection rate in the whole study group was 13.12% (n: 178). The highest infection rate was in the center hemodialysis, 16.33% (n: 139). There was no COVID-19 infection in home hemodialysis (HHD). Mortality rate was 2.87% (n: 39) in the whole cohort and 3.87% (n: 33) in center hemodialysis (CHD), 1.47% (n:5) in kidney transplant (Tx), and 0.81% (n: 1) in the peritoneal dialysis (PD) group. COVID-19 infection rate of home replacement therapy (HRT) (n: 39) patients was significantly lower than CHD (n: 139) (p < 0.001). Conclusion The COVID-19 infection rate and mortality were significantly lower than those of CHD in all home-based modalities subgroups.