Kidney outcomes after mild to moderate COVID-19
Why is this important?
Severe coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has a high rate of kidney involvement. This can be severe, both in the short-term (AKI) and long-term (CKD). But knowledge on kidney outcomes in non-severe COVID-19 is limited. A recent study done by kidney specialists in Hamburg (Germany) has looked into this issue (Schmidt-Lauber, 2023).
What did this study show?
A total of 443 people about 9 months after non-severe COVID-19, were compared with 1328 non-COVID-19 people. The average eGFR was slightly lower in post-COVID-19 than non-COVID-19 subjects.
However, chronic kidney disease and severe albuminuria (a protein in the urine) occurred equally in post-COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 people. And haematuria, pyuria and proteinuria (blood, pus and protein in the urine) were also similar between the two groups, suggesting no ongoing kidney injury after non-severe COVID-19.
How does this affect me?
This study showed after non-severe COVID-19, there were no changes in the frequency of chronic kidney disease and albuminuria (a protein in the urine). This indicates no ongoing kidney damage. So, if you get mild COVID-19, long-term kidney problems are not likely to happen.
Last Reviewed on 29 October 2023