Characteristics of the 6th Japanese wave of COVID-19 in hemodialysis patients

BACKGROUND: We examined the clinical characteristics of hemodialysis patients with COVID-19 during the 6th wave of infection (mainly Omicron variant) in Japan. METHODS: Hemodialysis patients admitted in January 2022 and thereafter were grouped as the 6th wave group (n = 53), while others were grouped as the 1st–5th wave group (n = 47). RESULTS: The proportion of vaccinations was significantly higher in the 6th wave group than in the 1st–5th wave group (96.2% vs 10.6%, p < 0.0001). Neutralizing antibody and molnupiravir were used more frequently in the 6th wave group (75.5% and 88.7%) than in the 1st–5th wave group (14.9% and 0%, both p < 0.0001). The critical disease was seen in 21.3% of the patients in the 1st–5th wave group and 0% in the 6th wave group (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The prognosis of hemodialysis patients in the 6th wave group was good. The vaccination and advances in the treatment may have contributed to the outcomes.