The impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection on renal function in patients with biopsy-proven kidney diseases

by Bogdan Obrișcă, Valentin Mocanu, Alexandra Vornicu, Roxana Jurubiță, Bogdan Sorohan, George Dimofte, Camelia Achim, Andreea Andronesi, Georgia Micu, Raluca Bobeică, Nicu Caceaune, Alexandru Procop, Vlad Herlea, Mihaela Gherghiceanu, Gener Ismail

Background

We sought to evaluate the long-term effects of COVID-19 on renal function in patients with biopsy-proven kidney diseases.

Methods

A total of 451 patients with biopsy-proven kidney disease and at least 12 months of follow-up subsequent to COVID-19 pandemic onset were included in the study. The primary study endpoint was a composite of a persistent decline of more than 30% in eGFR or ESRD.

Results

23.1% of patients had COVID-19 during a follow-up period of 2.5 y (0.8–2.6), while 17.6% of patients reached the composite endpoint. Those with COVID-19 were more likely to reach the composite endpoint [26.7% vs. 14.8%; OR, 2.1 (95%CI, 1.23–3.58), p = 0.006). There was a significant eGFR change in the first year of follow-up between the two study groups [-2.24 (95%CI,-4.86; 0.37) vs. +2.31 (95%CI, 0.78; 3.85) ml/min, p = 0.004], with an adjusted mean difference of -4.68 ml/min (95%CI,-7.7; -1.59)(p = 0.03). The trend for worse renal outcomes remained consistent in patients with IgAN, MN and FSGS, but not in those with LN. After multivariate adjustment, the independent predictors of the composite endpoint were baseline eGFR (HR, 0.94; 95%CI, 0.92–0.95), COVID-19 (HR, 1.91; 1.16–3.12) and male gender (HR, 1.64; 95%CI, 1.01–2.66). In multivariate linear regression analysis, COVID-19 independently determined a reduction of eGFR at 12 months by 4.62 ml/min/1.73m² (β coefficient, -4.62; 95%CI, -7.74 to -1.5, p = 0.004).

Conclusions

There is a significant impact of COVID-19 on long-term renal function in patients with biopsy-proven kidney diseases, leading to a greater decline of eGFR and a worse renal survival.