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COVID-19 in dialysis patients: outlasting and outsmarting a pandemic
Caroline M Hsu1, Daniel E Weiner1
1William B. Schwartz Division of Nephrology, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Insights
Patients undergoing dialysis face severe risks from Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), with high mortality rates. Implementing universal masking and enhanced screening are crucial for protecting this vulnerable patient group.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) significantly impacts patient care and outcomes globally.
- Patients on dialysis exhibit a disproportionately high prevalence of COVID-19, especially those in in-center dialysis settings.
- Limited physical distancing and community exposure contribute to increased COVID-19 risk in dialysis patients.
Abstract:
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has affected the care and outcomes of patients treated with dialysis worldwide. In this issue of Kidney International, 3 reports highlight the disproportionately severe impact of COVID-19 on patients on dialysis, noting its high prevalence, particularly among patients receiving in-center dialysis. This likely reflects patients' limited ability to physically distance as well as community exposures, including residence in areas with high rates of infection. Patients on dialysis are at extremely high risk should they develop COVID-19, with short-term mortality of 20% or higher. Accordingly, it is imperative that the kidney community intervenes to reduce the threat of COVID-19 in this vulnerable population by focusing on modifiable factors, including universal masking of patients and staff and enhanced screening, including testing for COVID-19 in the patients who are asymptomatic during times of high local prevalence.
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