Prevalence of urinary abnormality, electrolytes disorders and renal insufficiency in COVID-19 patients in affiliated hospitals of Islamic Azad University, Tehran Medical Sciences, 2019-2022

Covid-19 is a deadly, contagious and highly complicated virus, with adverse effects on various organs. Considering the ambiguous effects of covid-19 on the renal-urinary system, this study was conducted to determine the frequency of urinary, electrolyte and kidney disorders in these patients.

In this study, 518 patients with covid-19 admitted to the affiliated hospitals of IAUTM (Islamic Azad University, Tehran Medical Sciences) from March 2019 to April 2022, were studied. Demographic (age and gender), and laboratory parameters (functional, urinary and electrolytes disorders) were extracted from the clinical charts.

The mortality rate was 6.5%. In deceased patients compared to recovered patients, age (67.7 ± 11.60 vs. 59.07 ± 10.50 years; P= 0.032), creatinine (1.64 ± 1.08 vs. 1.17 ± 0.69 μmol/l; P<0.001) and urea (91.06 ± 77.55 vs. 39.48 ± 30.17 mmol/l; P<0.001) were significantly higher and GFR (47.04 ± 22.28 vs. 65.72 ± 22.54 ml/min; P<0.001) was significantly lower. There was a significant relationship between mortality rate and increased creatinine level (RR= 3.78; P= 0.001), high urea (RR= 5.83; P= 0.001) and low GFR (RR= 3.17; P= 0.021). The frequency of death was significantly higher among men (P= 0.025), and patients with hyperkalemia (P= 0.002) and or alkalosis (P= 0.037).

Based on the results, faster screening and treating patients with risk factors of kidney damage is necessary and recommended.