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COVID-19 infection and the kidney
Lucas Alvarez-Belon1, Alexander Sarnowski2, Lui G Forni3
1Intensive Care Unit, Royal Surrey Hospital Foundation Trust, Guildford, UK.
British Journal of Hospital Medicine (London, England : 2005)
|November 2, 2020
Summary
COVID-19 can cause serious kidney problems, including acute kidney injury, especially in severe cases. Many patients do not fully recover kidney function after this complication.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Infectious Diseases
- Critical Care Medicine
Background:
- Renal involvement is a significant complication of COVID-19, particularly in critically ill patients.
- The prevalence of kidney injury in COVID-19 varies due to factors like comorbidities, socioeconomic status, and ethnicity.
- Kidney injury may manifest as abnormal urine sediment or changes in serum creatinine and urine output.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize the current understanding of renal involvement in COVID-19.
- To highlight the multifactorial nature and presentation of COVID-19-associated acute kidney injury.
- To discuss the treatment and long-term outcomes of kidney complications in COVID-19 patients.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature and clinical reports on COVID-19 and kidney injury.
- Analysis of reported prevalence, clinical presentation, and contributing factors.
- Evaluation of treatment strategies and patient outcomes, including renal function recovery.
Main Results:
- Acute kidney injury is a serious complication of COVID-19, with variable reported prevalence.
- Causes are often multifactorial, presenting as part of multiorgan dysfunction.
- Supportive care is primary treatment; nearly 25% require kidney replacement therapy.
- Long-term renal function recovery is poor, with only about one-third of patients recovering.
Conclusions:
- COVID-19-associated acute kidney injury is a severe condition with significant morbidity.
- Multifactorial causes and poor long-term renal recovery underscore the need for further research and management strategies.
- Effective management and understanding of long-term consequences are crucial for patient outcomes.
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