Predictors of COVID-19 Mortality in Hemodialysis Patients, Hamadan Province, Iran

Background: Identification of the predictors of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-related death in hemodialysis patients plays a key role in the management of these patients. In this regard, the present study aimed to evaluate the predictors of death among COVID-19 infected hemodialysis patients in Hamadan province, Iran. Study design: A cross-sectional study. Methods: This cross-sectional study investigated 50 COVID-19 infected hemodialysis patients who were confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test and referred to hemodialysis wards of hospitals located in Hamadan province, Iran, from March 2019 and January 2020. In order to compare the demographic characteristics and clinical variables between survived and deceased patients, the independent student t test and chi-square test were applied. Results: Out of 50 confirmed COVID-19 hemodialysis patients, 27 (54%) cases were male, 38 (76%) subjects were urban residents, and 4 (8%) individuals were smokers. A significant relationship was observed between patients' gender, age, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) status, and body mass index (BMI) with the treatment outcome (P< 0.05). A significantly higher level of serum albumin was observed in the survived patients (3.49 +/- 0.37 vs. 3.17 +/- 0.42, P= 0.030). Moreover, in terms of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) level, a significantly higher level of LDH was observed in the patients who died (1471.1 +/- 1484.89 vs. 670.86 +/- 268.85, P = 0.005). Conclusions: It can be concluded that some demographic characteristics of the patients, including age, gender, ARDS status, BMI, co-morbidities, and laboratory signs and symptoms are associated with disease outcomes in COVID-19 infected hemodialysis patients. Therefore, awareness about the predictors of death in these patients can help make better and direct clinical decisions and inform health officials about the risk of COVID-19 mortality among hemodialysis patients.