Abstract
BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic significantly threatens immunocompromised patients. We aimed to investigate the clinical and paraclinical findings and consequences of COVID-19 in kidney transplantation recipients. METHODS: In this retrospective study, kidney transplant recipients admitted to Ayatollah Rouhani, Shahid Beheshti, and Shahid Yahyanejad referral hospitals of Babol, North of Iran, with a diagnosis of COVID-19, were examined. Information such as demographic and laboratory findings, clinical symptoms, and treatments received was entered into pre-prepared questionnaires. RESULTS: Out of the 35 patients included in the study, 19 (54.3%) were males, and 16 (45.7%) were females. The mean age of patients was 47.46 ± 11.28. Among the clinical symptoms, cough and decreased level of consciousness were associated with a higher mortality rate (P= 0.02). Furthermore, the mortality rate was found to be 17.1%. C-reactive protein (CRP) level, oxygen saturation percentage, and diffuse lung involvement were significantly associated with COVID-19 mortality (p <0.05). In this study, no correlation was found between the amount of Cr and the outcome of COVID-19 disease (P = 0.66), and also, no significant relationship was found between the amount of BUN and the outcome of COVID-19 (P = 0.46). Even the patient who was admitted with a Cr of 6.4 did not die and was discharged with a Cr of 3.4. CONCLUSION: Due to the higher mortality rate in transplant patients with COVID-19, the need for more clinically severe treatment and intensification of care in this group of patients is essential.