Veeranki V, Prasad N, Meyyappan J, Bhadauria D, Behera MR, Kushwaha R, Patel MR, Yaccha M, Kaul A. The adverse effects of high-dose corticosteroid on infectious and non-infectious sequelae in renal transplant recipients with coronavirus disease-19 in India.
Transpl Infect Dis 2022;
24:e13908. [PMID:
35870131 PMCID:
PMC9349989 DOI:
10.1111/tid.13908]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Revised: 06/05/2022] [Accepted: 06/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION
The corticosteroid dosing modulation in renal transplant recipients (RTRs) with coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) is not well defined. We aimed to analyze the outcomes and infectious and non-infectious sequelae in RTR with COVID-19 with reference to corticosteroid dosing and the first and second pandemic waves of COVID-19.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
This study included RTRs admitted during two pandemic waves between March 25, 2020, and July 31, 2021. Patients were categorized into mild, moderate, and severe COVID-19. The outcomes and predictors of survival at 4 weeks were analyzed. The survivors were also followed for 6 months and were studied for mortality, readmission rates, and infectious and non-infectious sequelae with reference to high-dose and standard-dose corticosteroids.
RESULTS
A total of 251 RTRs, 104 during the first wave and 147 during the second wave, were treated. Overall mortality was 15.1% (11.5% in the first wave vs. 17.5% in the second wave, p = .23). The use of high-dose steroids was also significantly high in non-survivors (85.8% vs. 11.3%, p = .001). On multivariate analysis, the severity of COVID-19, graft dysfunction, and high dose of corticosteroid therapy were associated with increased odds of mortality. Among survivors, 6-month mortality (17.3% vs. 0.5%, p = .001), readmission rate (91.3% vs. 23.7%, p = .001), fungal infection (30.4% vs. 2.2%, p < .001), and post-COVID lung sequelae (21.7% vs. 4.4%, p = .008) were significantly higher in the high-dose corticosteroid group than in the standard-dose group.
CONCLUSION
High-dose corticosteroid dosing in RTRs with COVID-19 was associated with increased infections, particularly fungal infections, and non-infectious sequelae with higher mortality on subsequent follow-up.
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