A new study from West China Hospital, Sichuan University, reveals a strong link between COVID-19 and the risk of developing acute kidney disorders (AKD), such as acute kidney injury (AKI).
The research, led by Dr. Li Chunyang and Dr. Zeng Xiaoxi, was published in Health Data Science and shows that the risk varies over time, with the highest danger occurring in the weeks immediately after infection.
While COVID-19 is primarily known for affecting the respiratory system, it also impacts other organs, including the kidneys.
The study aimed to better understand how COVID-19 influences the risk of acute kidney disorders. Using data from the UK Biobank, the researchers conducted a matched cohort study and Mendelian randomization analysis to examine both the connection and potential cause of AKD in COVID-19 patients.
“Our research shows that COVID-19 patients are at the highest risk for acute kidney problems, particularly during the second week after infection,” explained Dr. Li Chunyang from West China Hospital.
“The risk peaks in the second week and then starts to decrease by the fourth week.”
The study involved over 10,000 COVID-19 patients and compared them to a group of 29,000 people who had not been exposed to the virus.
The researchers found that during the second week after infection, the risk of developing AKD was significantly higher (with a hazard ratio of 12.77). By the fourth week, the risk had decreased but still remained elevated.
Interestingly, the study found that only patients with moderate to severe COVID-19 showed a high risk for kidney problems.
Those with mild cases of the virus did not experience the same increased risk.
The researchers also used a method called Mendelian randomization to confirm that COVID-19 could cause a “short-term” increase in AKD risk, particularly in the first week after infection.
The findings suggest that health care providers should carefully monitor kidney function in COVID-19 patients, especially during the first few weeks after infection, when the risk is highest.
This information could help guide doctors in managing and following up with patients who are recovering from moderate to severe COVID-19.
Looking forward, the research team plans to further investigate the impact of COVID-19 on kidney health in East Asian populations and explore the biological processes that link the virus to kidney damage. Dr. Zeng Xiaoxi added, “Understanding how COVID-19 affects the kidneys could lead to better treatments and preventative measures for those at risk.”
If you care about COVID, please read studies about vitamin D deficiency linked to severe COVID-19, death, and how diets could help manage post-COVID syndrome.
For more health information, please see recent studies that low-sodium plant-based diets may prevent COVID-19 better, and results showing zinc could help reduce COVID-19 infection risk.
Source: Health Data Science.
