Incidence and Clinical Outcomes of COVID‐19 in Maintenance Hemodialysis Patients in Libya: A Prospective Descriptive Study

TL;DR

This study examines how severe and deadly COVID-19 is for patients undergoing hemodialysis in Libya, finding a high mortality rate.

Contribution

The study provides insights into the clinical outcomes of COVID-19 in hemodialysis patients in Libya, highlighting the need for tailored guidelines.

Findings

12 out of 600 hemodialysis patients tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 with a mortality rate of 33.3%.

Common symptoms included fever, dry cough, dyspnea, and fatigue in infected patients.

Chest CT scans showed features consistent with COVID-19 pneumonia in all infected patients.

Abstract

Hemodialysis patients are at a greater risk of severe disease from COVID‐19. Of the 600 maintenance hemodialysis patients who were regular attendees at the Tripoli Hemodialysis Center in Tripoli, Libya, 12 patients tested positive for SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. The patients’ ages ranged from 48 to 80 years. Three were female (25%), and four (33.3%) reported prior contact with a confirmed case. The most common symptoms were fever (66.7%), dry cough (66.7%), dyspnea (91.7%), and fatigue (83.3%). Chest computed tomography revealed radiological features consistent with COVID‐19 pneumonia, including ground‐glass opacities and pulmonary consolidation in all patients. Four of the patients died (33.3%). COVID‐19 represents a significant comorbidity in maintenance hemodialysis patients and is associated with a notably high mortality rate. In the absence of specific operational guidelines, tailored protocols should be developed, or existing guidelines—such as those from the CDC—should be adapted to fit the local healthcare context.

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