Reduction of estimated glomerular filtration rate after COVID-19-associated acute kidney injury

Abstract

Introduction: Acute Kidney Injury (AKI), a frequent manifestation in COVID-19, can compromise kidney function in the long term. We evaluated renal function after hospital discharge of patients who developed AKI associated with COVID-19. Methods: This is an ambidirectional cohort. eGFR and microalbuminuria were reassessed after hospital discharge (T1) in patients who developed AKI due to COVID-19, comparing the values with hospitalization data (T0). P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: After an average of 16.3 ± 3.5 months, 20 patients were reassessed. There was a median reduction of 11.5 (IQR: –21; –2.1) mL/ min/1.73m2 per year in eGFR. Forty-five percent of patients had CKD at T1, were older, and had been hospitalized longer; this correlated negatively with eGFR at T1. Microalbuminuria was positively correlated with CRP at T0 and with a drop in eGFR, as well as eGFR at admission with eGFR at T1. Conclusion: There was a significant reduction in eGFR after AKI due to COVID-19, being associated with age, length of hospital stay, CRP, and need for hemodialysis.