Assessment of subclinical renal dysfunction in post COVID-19 patients

Abstract

Introduction Kidney damage in COVID-19 is common and may lead to CKD. Early recognition of progression is mandatory, so there is a need for sensitive markers of kidney damage. Renal functional reserve (RFR) is described as the ability of the kidneys to augment their function in special situations.Aim of Work Was to assess subclinical renal dysfunction post-COVID-19.Methods This cross-sectional study investigates 31 patients previously infected with COVID-19 within 2–3 months and 31 healthy subjects with matched age and sex. Assessment of RFR was done by calculating the estimated GFR using the CKD-EPI equation before and 2 hours after 80 g protein load by intravenous infusion.Results RFR was significantly lower in post-COVID-19 patients (mean of 11.19 ± 4.76) than the control (mean of 25.81 ± 4.42, p < 0.001).Conclusion Despite preserved eGFR, there is a reduction in RFR, indicating progressive loss of nephron mass post-COVID.

Keywords

• COVID-19
• renal functional reserve
• chronic kidney disease