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Meta-Analysis
. 2021 Dec;43(1):1621-1633.
doi: 10.1080/0886022X.2021.2011747.

Incidence and risk factors of acute kidney injury in COVID-19 patients with and without acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) during the first wave of COVID-19: a systematic review and Meta-Analysis

Faraj K Alenezi  1   2 , Mohammed A Almeshari  1   3 , Rahul Mahida  1 , Mansoor N Bangash  4 , David R Thickett  1 , Jaimin M Patel  1
Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

Incidence and risk factors of acute kidney injury in COVID-19 patients with and without acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) during the first wave of COVID-19: a systematic review and Meta-Analysis

Faraj K Alenezi et al. Ren Fail. 2021 Dec.

Abstract

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is common among patients with COVID-19. However, AKI incidence may increase when COVID-19 patients develop acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Thus, this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the incidence and risk factors of AKI, need for kidney replacement therapy (KRT), and mortality rate among COVID-19 patients with and without ARDS from the first wave of COVID-19.

Methods: The databases MEDLINE and EMBASE were searched using relevant keywords. Only articles available in English published between December 1, 2019, and November 1, 2020, were included. Studies that included AKI in COVID-19 patients with or without ARDS were included. Meta-analyses were conducted using random-effects models.

Results: Out of 618 studies identified and screened, 31 studies met the inclusion criteria. A total of 27,500 patients with confirmed COVID-19 were included. The overall incidence of AKI in patients with COVID-19 was 26% (95% CI 19% to 33%). The incidence of AKI was significantly higher among COVID-19 patients with ARDS than COVID-19 patients without ARDS (59% vs. 6%, p < 0.001). Comparing ARDS with non-ARDS COVID-19 cohorts, the need for KRT was also higher in ARDS cohorts (20% vs. 1%). The mortality among COVID-19 patients with AKI was significantly higher (Risk ratio = 4.46; 95% CI 3.31-6; p < 0.00001) than patients without AKI.

Conclusion: This study shows that ARDS development in COVID-19-patients leads to a higher incidence of AKI and increased mortality rate. Therefore, healthcare providers should be aware of kidney dysfunction, especially among elderly patients with multiple comorbidities. Early kidney function assessment and treatments are vital in COVID-19 patients with ARDS.

Keywords: Acute kidney injury; COVID-19; acute respiratory distress syndrome; kidney replacement therapy; meta-analysis; mortality; systematic review.

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Conflict of interest statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
PRISMA flow diagram.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Funnel plot for detection of publication bias.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Forest plot of pooled AKI incidence in overall cohorts.
Figure 4.
Figure 4.
Forest plot of the pooled AKI incidence showing the increased rate in ARDS (A) compared to non-ARDS (B) cohorts.
Figure 5.
Figure 5.
Forest plot demonstrating the need for KRT in ARDS (A) compared with non-ARDS (B) COVID-19 cohort.
Figure 6.
Figure 6.
Forest plot for mortality risk among patients with AKI associated with COVID-19.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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