Severity of COVID-19 after Vaccination among Hemodialysis Patients: An Observational Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Patients receiving hemodialysis are at high risk from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and demonstrate impaired immune responses to vaccines. There have been several descriptions of their immunologic responses to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccination, but few studies have described the clinical efficacy of vaccination in patients on hemodialysis. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS: In a multicenter observational study of the London hemodialysis population undergoing surveillance PCR testing during the period of vaccine rollout with BNT162b2 and AZD1222, all of those positive for SARS-CoV-2 were identified. Clinical outcomes were analyzed according to predictor variables, including vaccination status, using a mixed effects logistic regression model. Risk of infection was analyzed in a subgroup of the base population using a Cox proportional hazards model with vaccination status as a time-varying covariate. RESULTS: SARS-CoV-2 infection was identified in 1323 patients of different ethnicities (Asian/other, 30%; Black, 38%; and White, 32%), including 1047 (79%) unvaccinated, 86 (7%) after first-dose vaccination, and 190 (14%) after second-dose vaccination. The majority of patients had a mild course; however, 515 (39%) were hospitalized, and 172 (13%) died. Older age, diabetes, and immune suppression were associated with greater illness severity. In regression models adjusted for age, comorbidity, and time period, prior two-dose vaccination was associated with a 75% (95% confidence interval, 56 to 86) lower risk of admission and 88% (95% confidence interval, 70 to 95) fewer deaths compared with unvaccinated patients. No loss of protection was seen in patients over 65 years or with increasing time since vaccination, and no difference was seen between vaccine types. CONCLUSIONS: These data demonstrate a substantially lower risk of severe COVID-19 after vaccination in patients on dialysis who become infected with SARS-CoV-2.

Outcome and effect of vaccination in SARS-CoV-2 Omicron infection in hemodialysis patients: a cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Hemodialysis patients are at high risk of Covid-19, though vaccination has significant efficacy in preventing and reducing the severity of infection. Little information is available on disease severity and vaccine efficacy since the dissemination of the Omicron variant. METHODS: In a multi-center study, during a period of the epidemic driven by the Omicron variant, all hemodialysis patients positive for SARS-CoV-2 were identified. Outcomes were analyzed according to predictor variables including vaccination status. Risk of infection was analyzed using a Cox proportional hazards model. RESULTS: SARS-CoV-2 infection was identified in 1126 patients including 200 (18%) unvaccinated, 56 (5%) post first dose, 433 (38%) post second dose, and 437 (39%) at least 7 days beyond their third dose. The majority of patients had a mild course but 160 (14%) were hospitalized and 28 (2%) died. In regression models adjusted for age and comorbidity, two-dose vaccination was associated with a 39% (95%CI: 2%-62%) reduction in admissions, but third doses provided additional protection, with a 51% (95%CI: 25%-69%) further reduction in admissions. Among 1265 patients at risk at the start of the observation period, SARS-CoV-2 infection was observed in 211 (17%). Two-dose vaccination was associated with a 41% (95%CI: 3%-64%) reduction in the incidence of infection, with no clear additional effect provided by third doses. CONCLUSIONS: These data demonstrate lower incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection after vaccination in dialysis patients during an Omicron dominant period of the epidemic. Among those developing infection, severe illness was less common with prior vaccination, particularly after third vaccine doses.

Risk of COVID-19 Disease, Dialysis Unit Attributes, and Infection Control Strategy among London In-Center Hemodialysis Patients.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Patients receiving in-center hemodialysis treatment face unique challenges during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, specifically the need to attend for treatment that prevents self-isolation. Dialysis unit attributes and isolation strategies that might reduce dialysis center COVID-19 infection rates have not been previously examined. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS: We explored the role of variables, including community disease burden, dialysis unit attributes (size and layout), and infection control strategies, on rates of COVID-19 among patients receiving in-center hemodialysis in London, United Kingdom, between March 2, 2020 and May 31, 2020. The two outcomes were defined as (1) a positive test for infection or admission with suspected COVID-19 and (2) admission to the hospital with suspected infection. Associations were examined using a discrete time multilevel time-to-event analysis. RESULTS: Data on 5755 patients dialyzing in 51 units were analyzed; 990 (17%) tested positive and 465 (8%) were admitted with suspected COVID-19 between March 2 and May 31, 2020. Outcomes were associated with age, diabetes, local community COVID-19 rates, and dialysis unit size. A greater number of available side rooms and the introduction of mask policies for asymptomatic patients were inversely associated with outcomes. No association was seen with sex, ethnicity, or deprivation indices, nor with any of the different isolation strategies. CONCLUSIONS: Rates of COVID-19 in the in-center hemodialysis population relate to individual factors, underlying community transmission, unit size, and layout.

Incidence, risk factors, and outcomes of stroke post-transplantation in patients receiving a steroid sparing immunosuppression protocol.

Corticosteroid use after transplantation is associated with an increased incidence of cardiovascular events and death. Cerebrovascular disease is a common cause of morbidity and mortality post-renal transplantation; however, a dedicated analysis of cerebrovascular disease in recipients of a steroid sparing protocol has not been reported. The aim of this study was to examine the incidence, risk factors, and outcomes of CVA in transplant recipients receiving a steroid sparing protocol. We retrospectively analyzed 1237 patients who received a kidney alone or a simultaneous pancreas and kidney (SPK) transplant. Fifty-six of 1237 (4.53%) patients had a CVA post-transplant. All-cause mortality was significantly higher in the CVA group compared with the non-CVA group, OR: 3.4 (1.7-7.0), p < 0.001. Factors found to be associated with increased risk of CVA by multivariate analysis were older age, HR: 1.07 (1.04-1.09), p < 0.001; diabetes at the time of transplantation, HR: 2.83 (1.42-5.64), p = 0.003; corticosteroid use pre-transplant, HR: 3.27 (1.29-8.27), p = 0.013 and recipients of a SPK, HR: 4.03 (1.85-8.79), p < 0.001. This study has identified subgroups of patients who are at increased risk of CVA post-transplant in patients otherwise receiving a steroid sparing immunosuppression protocol.

AA Amyloidosis in a patient with glycogen storage disorder and progressive chronic kidney disease.

Type 1 glycogen storage diseases (GSD) are inherited metabolic diseases caused by defects in the activity of the glucose-6-phosphate transporter. We present the case of a 40-year-old male with glycogen storage disease type 1b (GSD1b) who was referred to our nephrology service for evaluation of his chronic kidney disease and found to have AA amyloid deposition on renal biopsy. Amyloid is a described complication of GSD1b. As the treatment of GSD has improved, patients are surviving longer and are now presenting more frequently to adult services. It is important that clinicians are aware of the possible renal complications of GSD1b.

Cardiac survival after pre-emptive coronary angiography in transplant patients and those awaiting transplantation.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Recent interest has focused on wait listing patients without pretreating coronary artery disease to expedite transplantation. Our practice is to offer coronary revascularization before transplantation if indicated. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS: Between 2006 and 2009, 657 patients (427 men, 230 women; ages, 56.5 ± 9.94 years) underwent pretransplant assessment with coronary angiography. 573 of 657 (87.2%) patients were wait listed; 247 of 573 (43.1%) patients were transplanted during the follow-up period, 30.09 ± 11.67 months. RESULTS: Patient survival for those not wait listed was poor, 83.2% and 45.7% at 1 and 3 years, respectively. In wait-listed patients, survival was 98.9% and 95.3% at 1 and 3 years, respectively. 184 of 657 (28.0%) patients were offered revascularization. Survival in patients (n = 16) declining revascularization was poor: 75% survived 1 year and 37.1% survived 3 years. Patients undergoing revascularization followed by transplantation (n = 51) had a 98.0% and 88.4% cardiac event-free survival at 1 and 3 years, respectively. Cardiac event-free survival for patients revascularized and awaiting deceased donor transplantation was similar: 94.0% and 90.0% at 1 and 3 years, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest pre-emptive coronary revascularization is not only associated with excellent survival rates in patients subsequently transplanted, but also in those patients waiting on dialysis for a deceased donor transplant.

Effect of elective coronary angiography on glomerular filtration rate in patients with advanced chronic kidney disease.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Preemptive transplantation is ideal for patients with advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD). The practice has been to perform coronary angiography (CA) on all patients aged >50, all diabetics, and all patients with cardiac symptoms or disease with a view to revascularization before transplantation. Historically patients have delayed CA until established on renal replacement therapy due to concerns of precipitating the need for chronic dialysis. The objectives of this study were to establish the risk of contrast nephropathy in patients with advanced CKD who undergo screening CA, and to determine whether or not preemptive transplantation is achievable. DESIGN AND SETTING: This retrospective analysis included 482 patients with stage IV/V CKD seen in West London predialysis clinics from 2004 to 2007. Seventy-six of 482 (15.8%) patients considered as potential transplant recipients met the authors' criteria for coronary angiography. Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) GFR measurements were recorded for the 12 mo preceding and 12 mo following CA unless a defined endpoint was reached (transplantation, dialysis, or death). RESULTS: Mean MDRD GFR at CA was 12.51 +/- 3.51 ml/min. The trend was not significantly different 6 mo pre- and postangiography. Cumulative dialysis-free survival was 89.1% 6 mo postangiography. Twenty-three of 76 (30.3%) patients had flow-limiting coronary artery disease. Twenty-five of 76 (32.9%) patients underwent transplantation with 22 of 25 (88.0%) transplants being performed preemptively. CONCLUSIONS: The data suggest CA screening does not accelerate the decline in renal function for patients with advanced CKD, facilitating a safe preemptive transplant program.