Clinical characteristics and outcomes of COVID-19 patients with varying renal functions statuses during the Omicron pandemic in Shanghai.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to provide an academic summary of the clinical characteristics, outcomes and risk factors associated with prolonged hospital stays among the patients with varying renal function statuses during the Omicron pandemic in Shanghai.

METHODS

Clinical data was collected from COVID-19 patients admitted to Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine Ruijin Hospital Northern District. Based on their baseline eGFR, the patients were divided into three groups: Group A (eGFR > = 90ml/min/1.73m, n = 384), Group B (15ml/min/1.73m < = eGFR < 90ml/min/1.73m, n = 220), and Group C (Hemodialysis-dependent patient, n = 92). Clinical characteristics and laboratory data were compared among the three groups. The cumulative hazards of ICU admission were compared using the Kaplan-Meier method. Univariate and multivariate linear regression analyses were conducted to identify the factors influencing the duration of positive nucleic acid test.

RESULTS

Between March 25, 2022, and May 31, 2022, a total of 696 COVID-19 patients were included in the study. Among the dialysis patients, 92% (85) of dialysis patients had not received any COVID-19 vaccination, and 14.1%(13) of hemodialysis (HD) patients eventually progressed to severe or critical cases. A total of 13 (2.15%) patients were admitted to the ICU, with 8 (61.5%) were HD patients. The duration of nucleic acid positivity showed a negative correlation with eGFR (B: -0.048, 95%CI: -0.059-0.037, P = 0.000), platelet counts (B: -0.011, 95%CI: -0.017-0.005, P = 0.001) or lymphocyte counts (B: -0.658, 95%CI: -1.229~-0.086, P = 0.024).

CONCLUSIONS

The majority of Omicron patients have a favorable prognosis, while HD patients experience relatively poorer outcomes and higher rates of ICU admission. Decreased eGFR and low lymphocyte/platelet counts are the important risk factors associated with prolonged Omicron infection.