Study reveals new link between Covid-19 and kidney disorders

Researchers have discovered a link between Covid-19 and acute kidney disorders, with risks peaking in the second week after the infection.

In Short

• While Covid-19 is known for its respiratory effects, it can also impact other organs like the kidneys
• Researchers found that the risk of kidney disorders was highest in the second week after infection
• But it decreased by the fourth week

Researchers from West China Hospital, Sichuan University, have revealed a connection between Covid-19 and acute kidney disorders (AKD), including acute kidney injury (AKI), with effects that vary over time.

The study, led by Dr Li Chunyang and Dr Zeng Xiaoxi, was published in the journal Health Data Science.

While Covid-19 is primarily known for its respiratory effects, it can also impact other organs, such as kidneys.

The researchers investigated the time-dependent effects of Covid-19 on AKD using data from the UK Biobank. They conducted a matched cohort study and Mendelian randomisation analysis to explore both the association and potential causality between the virus and kidney issues.

The study found that the risk of AKD peaked during the second week after infection and began to decline by the fourth week.

In the study, 10,121 Covid-19 patients were matched with 29,004 historical controls based on various factors such as age and hospitalisation status.

"Our research highlights the time-varying risk of acute kidney disorders in Covid-19 patients, particularly in the first three weeks following infection," said Dr Li Chunyang. "We observed that the hazard effects peak in the second week post-infection and decline by the fourth week."

Using a Cox proportional hazard regression model, researchers determined that the risk of AKD was highest in the second week post-infection, with a hazard ratio of 12.77. By the fourth week, this risk decreased significantly.

Notably, the study revealed that only patients with moderate to severe Covid-19 experienced a significant risk of worsening kidney function, whereas those with mild cases did not show this risk.

The findings emphasise the importance of closely monitoring kidney function in Covid-19 patients, especially those with moderate to severe cases, during the initial weeks after infection.

Looking forward, the research team plans to investigate the time-varying impact of Covid-19 on kidney disorders in East Asian populations and explore the molecular mechanisms linking the virus to kidney damage.

Dr Zeng Xiaoxi emphasised the need for further research to clarify these mechanisms, which could lead to targeted interventions in the future.