Impact of COVID 19 on Renal Transplant Recipients in a National
Transplant Center
Abstract
Renal transplant recipients are at higher risk of COVID-19 infection due
to chronic comorbidities and immunocompromised state. Limited
information is available on the course and outcome of this infection in
organ transplantation patients, especially in Nepal. This study aims to
find out the impact of COVID-19 on renal transplant recipients. Methods:
A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted using census
sampling technique on 601 patients who underwent renal transplant
surgery at Shahid Dharmabhakta National Transplant Center (SDNTC),
Bhaktapur. Both living as well as deceased donor renal transplant
patients, who were COVID-19 confirmed through PCR test were included in
the study. A self-developed, semi-structured telephone interview
schedule was utilized for data collection. Results: Among the 601
patients that responded to our telephone calls, 37.9% were diagnosed as
COVID-19 positive. The overall mortality among total respondent patient
was nominal (5.7%) and 14.9% among COVID-19 positive patients. Most of
the COVID-19 positive patients (79.8%) were male and residing in
province 3 (Bagmati province). Among the expired patients, most of them
(41.17%) were more than 45 years of age and employed (64.7%).
Hypertension and diabetes mellitus were the top two comorbid condition.
While, the most common presenting feature was fever followed by cough.
Interestingly, 23.7 % of COVID-19 positive patient were hospitalized
and among them 72.2% were admitted for more than 2 days. Notably,
65.8% of the COVID-19 patients were not vaccinated and among the
vaccinated ones 73.1% had only single dose. The most common vaccine
among patient was Vero Cell. Conclusion: This study highlights the
heightened vulnerability of renal transplant recipients to COVID-19 as
significant portion of the studied patients tested positive for
COVID-19, with a notable mortality rate among these patients. The
findings underscore the critical role of vaccination, as a considerable
number of the COVID-19 positive patients were unvaccinated or partially
vaccinated.