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Abstract: PO0061

One-Year Experience of COVID-19 Disease of 700 Chronic Dialysis Patients from Ecuadorian Highlands

Session Information

Category: Coronavirus (COVID-19)

  • 000 Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Authors

  • Santacruz, Juan Cristobal, Clinica de los Riñones Menydial, Quito, Pichincha, Ecuador
  • Vásquez Perez, Ana Karina, Clinica de los Riñones Menydial, Quito, Pichincha, Ecuador
  • Sulbaran, Carlotta, Clinica de los Riñones Menydial, Quito, Pichincha, Ecuador
  • Reinoso, Paulo, Clinica de los Riñones Menydial, Quito, Pichincha, Ecuador
  • Santacruz, Maria Gabriela, Clinica de los Riñones Menydial, Quito, Pichincha, Ecuador
  • Santacruz, Angel Cristobal, Clinica de los Riñones Menydial, Quito, Pichincha, Ecuador
Background

In December 2019, first Covid-19 disease cases were reported. The pandemic spread with 114.217.365 cases and 2.533014 deaths worldwide in March 2021, with 286.155 cases and 15.811 deaths in Ecuador. The aim of this work was to share COVID-19 disease impact on 700 chronic dialysis patients from Ecuadorian highlands, which represents almost 7% of Ecuadorian dialysis population, after one year of pandemic.

Methods

Observational-prospective-multicenter study on 700 Latin-American chronic dialysis patients of five different cities from Ecuadorian highlands. Patients were followed since February first, 2020 until 31 January 2021. Patients with COVID-19 symptoms were identified and diagnosis was made exclusively with positive nasopharyngeal swabs PCR testing. Oxygen saturation below 90% at presentation (LOS) classified disease presentation as severe, moderate if symptoms without LOS and asymptomatic if no symptoms. Hospital-stay, time until negative PCR, mortality and laboratory findings were collected.

Results

A total of 205 patients (29%) presented COVID-19 symptoms; 115 tested positive (16%), 60% were men (p=0.03), 25 subjects died (22%). Mortality was related with age above 64 years old, saturation < 90%, severe disease (p=0.03), previous pulmonary pathology and hospitalization (p=0.01). Hospitalization was needed in 74 patients (64%) with hospital stay 11 days (4-15), days until death during hospitalization of 12 days (4-19) and time until negative PCR 20 days (10-25). Symptomatic time was 16 days (11-26).

Conclusion

COVID-19 disease was more frequent in men and has added up to 22% of extra mortality to chronic dialysis population. Patients older than 64 years old, previous pulmonary pathology, LOS at presentation are at higher risk of mortality. Health care burden due to COVID-19 is high in dialysis population suggesting that vaccination programs must include dialysis patients and staff involved in their care to diminish mortality, infections and health care burden.