Patients with CKD have an elevated likelihood of acquiring serious COVID-19. In comparison, the mortality rate tends to be higher than in the overall population and is not always specifically related to pulmonary compromise magnitude. This is not unexpected, considering that infectious or serious illnesses (e.g. influenza) are correlated with an elevated risk of cardiovascular problems in the overall population and individuals with CKD [32, 33]. In addition, CKD patients also have comorbidities with cardiovascular and diabetes that could be individually predisposed to extreme COVID-19. In the absence of a vaccine or licenced treatment, nephrologists should encourage patients with CKD to follow guidelines for social exclusion targeted at high-risk patients. These should be applied to dialysis facilities, where a high suspicion index and COVID-19 monitoring should be added.
Key words: severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), chronic kidney disease (CKD), Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 (ACE2), cytokine storm
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