A study shows, patients with Chronic Kidney disease (CKD) and those who had undergone kidney transplants after kidney failure are among those bearing the effect of Covid as the mortality rate among those who had undergone the transplant is as high as 15%.
The patients of kidney transplants are at higher risk of getting infected with coronavirus due to their immuno-suppressed state, the study concluded.
However, initial symptoms in kidney transplant recipients (KTR) with Covid are similar to the general population and the death rate is higher comparatively higher in KTRs as compared to general population.
Dr Suraj Godara, head of the department (nephrology) of the hospital said, “A total of 62 kidney transplant recipients who tested positive for Covid were included in the study. These patients, who had undergone transplant between December 2012 and November 2020, were actively followed up our center and were diagnosed with Covid between April 1 and November 30.”
The median age of 62 KTRs infected with Covid was 39 and 87% of those were men. The study said 29% were given treatment under home quarantine, 47% at isolation wards and 24% were treated at ICUs.
The findings of the study are that fever was the most common symptom (77%), 21% had a mild form of Covid, 52% had moderate form and 17% had severe disease.
Since KTRs are under immuno-suppressive medicines while undergoing treatment doctors had to reduce their dose and 65% of them were given redeliver and 55%were given anticoagulant therapy. In all, 15% of the 62 KTRs died after being infected with the virus, said Dr. Godara.
Nephrologists appealed to them to get the vaccination done against Covid on a priority basis since patients having CKD and KTRs are always at risk.
Dr. Dhananjai Agarwal, senior professor and head of the department (SMS Hospital). Doctors added that Covid might cause severe infections said, “Such patients are covered under 20 specified co-morbid conditions under which a beneficiary above 45 years can get the jab. The vaccine is safe for kidney patients. The advisory has also been issued by the Indian Society of Organ Transplant as such patients fall under the high-risk group. Such patients should get the vaccine on a priority basis. Kidney patients who have received the vaccine have no side-effects and are fine.”
“CKD increases the risk of severe illness and hospitalization if you develop Covid. The best defense is to continue with all your CKD treatments and take precautions to prevent infection,” said Dr. AK Sharma, director of nephrology and renal transplant of a private hospital.
