Dialysis removes excess water, solutes, and toxins from blood in people whose kidneys can no longer do this naturally. However, Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP) recently reported a new risk attached to dialysis relating to COVID. But it seems this new coronamirus risk identified for dialysis patients is only likely under certain circumstances in clinics.
Indicators For COVID Risks Identified Among Dialysis Patients
The research and findings appeared in the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology on June 1, 2021. Diabetes is a comorbidity for the coronavirus disease. Although the British researchers say this particular COVID-19 risk identified for dialysis patients, is more likely to materialize among certain people who:
1… Are kidney failure patients receiving dialysis at clinics several times a week.
2… Are also older, have diabetes, and live in communities with high coronavirus prevalence.
3… And receive their dialysis treatments at clinics serving a larger number of patients.
However, they are also conversely less likely to encounter the risk at clinics with more isolation rooms. And this advantage is more probable at facilities that enforce universal masking. That includes people with no coronavirus symptoms.
How Serious Is The Risk of Contracting COVID-19 This Way?
First, the researchers mined data from 5,755 dialysis patient records at 51 clinics at seven kidney centers in London at the start of the pandemic. Then they found 990 of them (17%) tested positive for COVID-19, while 465 (8%) were admitted with suspected infections. This is significantly higher than the generally prevailing national norm at that time.
Now CIDRAP has commented with recommendations as follows:
1… This work suggests that in addition to isolation of confirmed cases, other factors might also reduce transmission from patients.
2… These opportunities moreover include those without suspected or confirmed disease.
3…This is therefore further opportunity to modify the impact of COVID-19 on this vulnerable population.
There was moreover no observed link between infection or hospitalization, and gender, ethnicity, or socioeconomic indicators.
Related
COVID Risk from Poorly-Controlled Diabetes
Diabetes Symptoms Associated with COVID-19
Preview Image: Dialysis Venous Haemofiltration
