Temporal Reduction in COVID-19-Associated Fatality Among Kidney Transplant Recipients: The Brazilian COVID-19 Registry Cohort Study

Data from the general population suggest that fatality rates declined during the course of the pandemic. This analysis, using data extracted from the Brazilian Kidney Transplant COVID-19 Registry, seeks to determine fatality rates over time since the index case on March 3rd, 2020. Data from hospitalized patients with RT-PCR positive SARS-CoV-2 infection from March to August 2020 (35 sites, 878 patients) were compared using trend tests according to quartiles (Q1: 140 days after the index case). The 28-day fatality decreased from 29.5% (Q1) to 18.8% (Q4) (p(for-trend) = 0.004). In multivariable analysis, patients diagnosed in Q4 showed a 35% reduced risk of death. The trend of reducing fatality was associated with a lower number of comorbidities (20.7-10.6%, p(for-trend) = 0.002), younger age (55-53 years, p(for-trend) = 0.062), and better baseline renal function (43.6-47.7 ml/min/1.73 m(2), p(for-trend) = 0.060), and were confirmed by multivariable analysis. The proportion of patients presenting dyspnea (p(for-trend) = 0.001) and hypoxemia (p(for-trend) < 0.001) at diagnosis, and requiring intensive care was also found reduced (p(for-trend) = 0.038). Despite possible confounding variables and time-dependent sampling differences, we conclude that COVID-19-associated fatality decreased over time. Differences in demographics, clinical presentation, and treatment options might be involved.

Automated summary

Data from the Brazilian Kidney Transplant COVID-19 Registry suggests that fatality rates for hospitalized patients with COVID-19 decreased over time. The decrease in fatality was associated with a lower number of comorbidities, younger age, better baseline renal function, and a decrease in the proportion of patients with dyspnea, hypoxemia, and requiring intensive care.