Outcomes of COVID-19 Disease in Comparison with Influenza in Renal Transplant Recipients: Results from a Large Nationwide Research Network in the United States

Abstract

COVID-19 infection has worse outcomes in immunocompromised individuals. This includes those with diabetes mellitus, cancer, chronic autoimmune diseases requiring immunomodulatory therapy, and solid-organ transplant recipients on chronic immunosuppression. Using the National Inpatient Sample Database, this study retrospectively compared 14,915 renal transplant recipients who were hospitalized with either COVID-19 or Influenza virus infection in the US at any point between 1st January 2020 and 31st December 2020. We found that compared to renal transplant recipients with influenza infection, recipients with COVID-19 infection were more likely to require mechanical ventilation and vasopressor support and develop acute kidney injury requiring hemodialysis. COVID-19 patients also had significantly longer length of hospital stay. Renal transplant recipients with COVID-19 had significantly higher in-hospital mortality compared to recipients with influenza infection (14.09% vs 2.61%, adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 9.73 [95% CI (5.74-16.52)], P < .001). Our study clearly demonstrates the severe outcomes of high mortality and morbidity in renal transplant recipients with COVID-19. Further research should be undertaken to focus on the key areas noted to reduce morbidity and mortality in this population.