A RECENT cohort study highlighted a link between COVID-19 infection and accelerated kidney function decline, surpassing declines observed after other respiratory infections like pneumonia. The study analyzed data from the Stockholm Creatinine Measurements (SCREAM) Project, involving over 170,000 participants between 2018 and 2022.
Researchers compared kidney function changes in 134,565 individuals with COVID-19 and 35,987 with pneumonia. Annual declines in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) were significantly higher in the COVID-19 group. On average, post-COVID eGFR dropped by 3.4% annually, compared to 2.3% in the pneumonia cohort.
The effect was particularly pronounced among patients hospitalized with COVID-19, who exhibited a steep 5.4% annual decline in kidney function. In contrast, hospitalized patients with pneumonia showed no comparable increase in decline.
This study underscores the need for heightened vigilance in kidney health monitoring for individuals recovering from COVID-19, particularly those who required hospitalization. Early detection and management of chronic kidney disease could mitigate further complications and enhance patient outcomes.
Proactive evaluation of kidney function as part of post-COVID care is recommended to ensure timely intervention and optimized treatment plans. This research provides critical insights into the long-term consequences of COVID-19, emphasizing its broader impact beyond acute infection recovery.
Reference: Mahalingasivam V et al. Kidney Function Decline After COVID-19 Infection. JAMA Netw Open. 2024;7(12):e2450014.
Anaya Malik | AMJ
