Study reveals new link between COVID-19 and kidney disorders
Researchers have found an association between COVID-19 and acute kidney disorders, with the risk peaking in the second week after infection.
Researchers from West China Hospital, Sichuan University have revealed an association between COVID-19 and acute kidney disorders (AKD), including acute kidney injury (AKI), the effects of which vary over time.
The study led by Dr. Li Chunyang and Dr. Zeng Xiaoxi was published in the journal Health Data Science.
While COVID-19 is primarily known for its respiratory effects, it can also affect other organs such as the kidneys.
Researchers examined the time-dependent effects of COVID-19 on AKD using data from the UK Biobank. They conducted a matched group study and Mendelian randomization analysis to explore both the association and possible causation between the virus and kidney problems.
The study found that the risk of AKD peaked during the second week after infection and began to decline by the fourth week.
In the study, 10,121 COVID-19 patients were matched with 29,004 historical controls based on various factors such as age and hospitalization status.
“Our research highlights the periodic risk of acute kidney disorders in COVID-19 patients, especially in the first three weeks after infection,” said Dr. Li Chunyang. “We observed that the risk effect peaks in the second week after infection and subsides by the fourth week.”
Using a Cox proportional hazards regression model, the researchers determined that the risk of AKD was highest in the second week after infection, with a hazard ratio of 12.77. By the fourth week this risk reduced significantly.
Specifically, the study showed that only patients with moderate to severe COVID-19 had a significant risk of worsening kidney function, while those with mild cases did not show this risk.
The findings emphasize the importance of closely monitoring kidney function in COVID-19 patients, especially those with moderate to severe cases, during the early weeks after infection.
Looking ahead, the research team plans to examine the time-varying impact of COVID-19 on kidney disorders in East Asian populations and explore the molecular mechanisms linking the virus to kidney damage.
Dr. Zeng Xiaoxi stressed the need for more research to clarify these mechanisms, which could lead to targeted interventions in the future.
