Effect of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Kidney Transplant and on Chronic Dialysis Patients

BACKGROUND: The reported fatality rates of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in patients receiving maintenance dialysis or kidney transplant are higher than in the general population. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection in chronic dialysis patients (DPs) compared with kidney transplant recipients (KTxRs). METHODS: A study evaluating 266 COVID-19-positive patients (112 DPs and 154 KTxRs) was conducted in a single center from March 1, 2020, to June 30, 2021. All patients were confirmed for COVID-19 infection by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction or antigen test. RESULTS: KTxRs were younger (49 ± 12.4 vs 61 ± 14.6 years; P < .0001) and had significantly fewer coexisting disorders than the DPs. A higher percentage of KTxRs required hospitalization (70% vs 49.4%, P = .002) and intensive care unit admission (39% vs 25%, P = .01). The fatality rate was 24% in both groups. DISCUSSION: There is no consensus among studies about the higher fatality rate between KTxRs and DPs who develop COVID-19. In our study, we also did not find a different fatality rate. CONCLUSION: In spite of KTxRs being younger and having fewer coexisting disorders, compared with DPs, they presented a higher hospitalization and intensive care unit necessity rate but a similar fatality rate.