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Abstract: PO0700

Morbid Obesity, Hypertension, and Male Sex Are Associated with Greater Risk for AKI in Patients with COVID-19

Session Information

Category: Coronavirus (COVID-19)

  • 000 Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Authors

  • Lukitsch, Ivo, Department of Nephrology, Ochsner Health System, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
  • Torres Ortiz, Aldo E., Department of Nephrology, Ochsner Health System, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
  • Mohammed, Alaa E., Department of Research, Ochsner Clinic Foundation, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
  • Walker, Joseph B., Ochsner Clinical School, The University of Queensland, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
  • Mohamed, Muner, Department of Nephrology, Ochsner Health System, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
  • Velez, Juan Carlos Q., Department of Nephrology, Ochsner Health System, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States

Group or Team Name

  • Ochsner Nephrology
Background

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a reported manifestation of COVID-19 (CoV-AKI). However, there is paucity of data regarding risk factors for CoV-AKI. We examined the association of demographics and comorbidities with CoV-AKI risk and its severity at an academic hospital in New Orleans.

Methods

We conducted an observational study in patients hospitalized at Ochsner Medical Center over 1-month period with COVID-19 and diagnosis of AKI. We assessed the relationship between baseline demographic and clinical characteristics and the incidence of AKI, as well as AKI requiring renal replacement therapy (AKI-RRT), by assessing comparison of means and proportions and by logistic regression analysis.

Results

Among 644 patients with COVID-19, we compared 161 (26%) with AKI vs 414 (64%) without AKI. Male sex (62% vs 51%, p=0.02) and essential hypertension (HTN) (83% vs 70%, p=0.002) were more common in the AKI group. Median body mass index (BMI) was higher among those with AKI (34 vs 31 kg/m2, p<0.0001). No difference was found in age, race, presence of diabetes, chronic kidney disease or heart disease respect to AKI rate. On multivariate logistic regression analysis, HTN was strongly associated with greater risk for AKI [OR 1.96 (CI 1.2-3.2), p=0.009]. Male sex [OR 1.72 (CI 1.1-1.9), p=0.005] and higher BMI [OR 1.04 (CI 1.02-1.07), p<0.001] were also associated with AKI. RRT was required in 89 (55%) of the patients with AKI. Those with AKI requiring RRT (AKI-RRT) had higher median BMI (35 vs 33 kg/m2, p=0.048) and younger age (61 vs. 68, p=0.0003) compared to those with AKI not requiring RRT. Of note, higher BMI correlated with younger age (R=-0.53, p<0.0001).

Conclusion

HTN, male sex and higher BMI were associated with greater incidence of AKI in patients hospitalized with COVID-19. Higher BMI was further associated with AKI-RRT. Hypertensive, male and obese patients are at higher risk for CoV-AKI and should be more closely monitored during the COVID-19 pandemic.