COVID-19 linked to increased risk of acute kidney disorders

Researchers from West China Hospital, Sichuan University, have revealed a significant association between COVID-19 and acute kidney disorders (AKD), including acute kidney injury (AKI), that varies over time. The study was published in Health Data Science.

COVID-19, known for its impact on the respiratory system, also affects other organs, including the kidneys. The study used data from the UK Biobank to investigate the time-dependent effects of COVID-19 on acute kidney disorders. The study involved 10,121 COVID-19 patients matched with 29,004 unexposed historical controls based on age, sex, deprivation index, and hospitalisation status.

‘Our research highlights the time-varying risk of acute kidney disorders in COVID-19 patients, particularly in the first three weeks following infection,’ said Dr Li Chunyang of West China Hospital, Sichuan University. ‘We observed that the hazard effects peak in the second week post-infection and decline by the fourth week.’

Researchers also found that only patients with moderate to severe COVID-19 showed a significant risk of acute worsening of renal function. This risk was not observed in patients with mild COVID-19.

The findings suggest that healthcare providers should closely monitor kidney function in COVID-19 patients, particularly those with moderate to severe cases, during the critical first few weeks after infection. The study provides important insights into the temporal nature of COVID-19’s impact on kidney health, which may guide clinical management and follow-up strategies.

Looking ahead, the research team plans to further explore the time-varying impact of COVID-19 on the risk of incident acute kidney disorders in East Asian populations. Additionally, they aim to investigate the underlying molecular mechanisms that may link COVID-19 to subsequent acute kidney disorders to establish more definitive causal pathways.

‘The molecular mechanisms behind the association between COVID-19 and kidney damage remain unclear,’ added Dr Zeng Xiaoxi, an associate professor in the Nephrology Department at West China Hospital. ‘Our future research will focus on elucidating these mechanisms and verifying causality, which could pave the way for targeted interventions.’