People receiving long-term dialysis are almost 4 times more likely to die from COVID-19 and should be prioritized for vaccination, a new Ontario study published in CMAJ (Journal of the Canadian Medical Association).
As the COVID-19 pandemic progresses, focused efforts should be made to protect this population from diseases including prioritizing patients on long-term dialysis and their staff. are being treated for SARS-CoV-2 vaccine. “
Dr. Peter Blake, Regional Director, Renal Network Ontario, Ontario Health, and Professor, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, with Coauthors
The study looked at data about 12 501 patients receiving long-term dialysis in Ontario between March 12 and August 20, 2020, and 187 (1.5%) were diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Of these, 53 people (28.3%) died and 117 (62.6%) were admitted to hospital. In comparison, unprotected people receiving dialysis had a mortality rate of 5.8% and a hospitalization rate of 27%. From this analysis and especially in the last two months, the number of people on dialysis with the virus has risen to more than 570 and the number of deaths has risen to 120.
Risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 infection in people on dialysis include hemodialysis at a hospital facility compared to home dialysis; living in long-term care; living in the Greater Toronto area; Black, Indian subcontinent and other non-white ethnicity; and lower incomes.
In addition to vaccines and protective measures, the authors recommend educating patients about the increased risk of infection and higher mortality, including risks associated with social activity. Paid sick leave should be available for those in high risk occupations. Other strategies should include a low signal threshold for testing, more space between treatment stations in dialysis units, and regular testing of high-risk groups, such as those living in dialysis. long-term care.
Source:
Journal of the Canadian Medical Association