Clinical Manifestations and Mortality Predictors of COVID-19 in Patients Undergoing Chronic Hemodialysis: A Retrospective Cohort Study from Romania
<b>Background/Objectives</b>: Patients undergoing chronic hemodialysis are at increased risk of severe COVID-19 outcomes. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical characteristics and prognostic factors associated with mortality in hemodialysis patients infected with SARS-CoV-2. <b>Methods</b>: We conducted a retrospective study including 130 chronic hemodialysis patients diagnosed with COVID-19 and admitted to a nephrology unit between March 2020 and April 2021. Demographic data, comorbidities, clinical manifestations, hospitalization duration, and outcomes were analyzed using univariate and multivariate statistical methods. <b>Results</b>: The cohort was predominantly male (64.6%), with a mean age of 64.0 ± 13.9 years. The mean hospitalization duration was 13.6 ± 9.7 days. Cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratory disease, dyspnea at presentation, and hospital-origin admission were significantly associated with mortality. While diabetes mellitus and hypertension were highly prevalent, they did not independently predict mortality after adjustment. Overall mortality was 34.6%, particularly among older patients with multiple comorbidities. <b>Conclusions</b>: COVID-19 infection is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality among patients on chronic hemodialysis. Early identification of high-risk patients based on clinical presentation and comorbidity profile may support timely intervention and improved outcomes in this vulnerable population.
Authors
- Mihaela Magdalena Mitache
- Cosmin Moldovan (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1362-6427)
- Victor Strâmbu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7837-8503)
- Dan Arsenie Spinu
- Andrei V. Mitache
- Marian Necula
- Corneliu Ovidiu Vrâncianu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2409-0966)
- Adelina-Gabriela Niculescu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8968-504X)
- Daniel Cochior (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1911-8917)
- Elena Rusu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0000-0801-6451)
- Dragos N. Garofil
- Alice Elena Munteanu
- Ioana Ruxandra Poiana
- Ana Maria Alexandra Stănescu
Institutions
- Titu Maiorescu University (RO)
- University of Bucharest (RO)
- Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy (RO)
- Clinical Emergency Hospital Bucharest (RO)
- Academia Oamenilor de Știință din România (RO)
- Military University (RU)
- National Institute of Research and Development for Biological Sciences (RO)
- Universitatea Națională de Știință și Tehnologie Politehnica București (RO)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Journal of Clinical Medicine
- Published
- 2026-01-29
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm15031067
- Primary Topic
- COVID-19 Clinical Research Studies
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- Unitatea Executiva pentru Finantarea Invatamantului Superior, a Cercetarii, Dezvoltarii si Inovarii