Factors associated with SARS-COV-2 infection (COVID) severity and mortality in chronic dialysis patients

Background: From 2/17 to 5/29, 2020, Dialysis Clinic Inc had 422 maintenance dialysis patients diagnosed with COVID from 90 clinics in 20 states While prognostic factors in the general population have been reported, there is limited information regarding the US dialysis population Methods: Over a 15 week period of observation, 96 patients died (22 7%) and 116 (27 5%) were not hospitalized (for up to 30 days post-COVID diagnosis), likely with milder illness We compiled univariable associations with p;75 years, increasing to 74% of all deaths at age >;65 years Wheelchair use also associated with higher death risk Conclusions: Dialysis patients with low albumin and vintage ≧1 year associated with increased illness severity It was surprising that a history of pneumonia vaccine associated with more severe illness - whether this reflects 'treatment by indication' bias vs pulmonary immune activation by vaccination vs chance finding is unclear PVD also tended to increase illness severity but more importantly, was significantly associated with risk of death, independent of older age