Clinical Features of COVID-19 Hospitalized Patients with different degree of Proteinuria

Abstract

Background: Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) is a lung disease that also negatively affects several organ systems. Patients with  COVID-19 frequently have kidney dysfunction. The exact impact of proteinuria and its degree on the clinical outcome of patients with  COVID-19 is unclear. This study aimed to assess the effect of different degrees of proteinuria on the clinical outcome of hospitalized  patients with COVID-19.

Methods: This study included 100 patients with COVID-19 at Isolation Department, Zagazig University and  AlAhrar Teaching Hospitals who presented with proteinuria on admission. Patients were divided into two groups based on their urine  protein creatinine ratio (UPCR): those with UPCR less than 1gm and those with UPCR greater than 1gm.

Results: There is a statistically  significant relation between the two groups regarding neutrophil count (p=0.027) (higher in patients with UPCR > 1gm), and lymphocytes  (p=0.003) (lower in patients with UPCR > 1gm). There is a statically significant relation between the degree of proteinuria and the  incidence of acute kidney injury (p<0.001) (proteinuria higher in those who developed AKI). Also, there is a significant difference between  the two groups regarding the conscious level (p=0.019) (disturbed conscious level more in patients with UPCR >1gm).

Conclusions:  Proteinuria in COVID-19 hospitalized patients is associated with poor clinical outcomes and could lead to further renal deterioration and  AKI, so it is important to screen for it.