Kidney Week

Abstract: TH-PO923

Comparing Mortality and Morbidity of COVID-19 Omicron Variant vs. Other Variants in a Hemodialysis Population in Qatar

Session Information

• COVID-19: Vaccines and Outcomes ESRD/KTR
  November 03, 2022 | Location: Exhibit Hall, Orange County Convention Center‚ West Building
  Abstract Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Category: Coronavirus (COVID-19)

• 000 Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Authors

• Elgaali, Musab, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Ad Dawhah, Qatar

Musab Elgaali,

• Ali, Mohamed Yousif Mohamed Salih, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Ad Dawhah, Qatar

Mohamed Yousif Mohamed Salih Ali,

• Alkadi, Mohamad M., Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Ad Dawhah, Qatar

Mohamad M. Alkadi,

• Ibrahim, Rania Abdelaziz, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Ad Dawhah, Qatar

Rania Abdelaziz Ibrahim,

• Boubaker, Karima, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Ad Dawhah, Qatar

Karima Boubaker,

• Ismail, Hany Ezzat, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Ad Dawhah, Qatar

Hany Ezzat Ismail,

• Othman, Muftah, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Ad Dawhah, Qatar

Muftah Othman,

• Al-Malki, Hassan A., Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Ad Dawhah, Qatar

Hassan A. Al-Malki,

• Hamad, Abdullah Ibrahim, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Ad Dawhah, Qatar

Abdullah Ibrahim Hamad,

Background

Patients on dialysis are more susceptible to COVID-19 infection, with higher mortality and morbidity. In December 2021 the state of Qatar witnessed a surge in COVID 19 cases solely due to omicron variant. We compare the effect of omicron Vs pre-omicron variants COVID infection on hemodialysis patients in terms of incidence, severity and mortality.

Methods

This is an observational, analytical, retrospective, nationwide study. COVID-19 PCR was the method of diagnosis. During the Omicron wave, Rapid Antigen Test was accepted by Ministry of Health in Qatar as a diagnostic test.
Our study followed patients for duration from 3/2020 to 1/2022. All positive results from 1^st of December 2021 were assigned to the omicron group as per national genomic surveillance. Cases before that were assigned to the pre-omicron group. Primary outcome was to compare the incidence of omicron infections in haemodialysis patient compared to pre-omicron era. Secondary outcomes were to assess the mortality, ICU admissions, length of stay in ICU and need for ventilatory support in omicron vs pre-omicron phase. Patient demographics and clinical features were collected from a national electronic medical record.

Results

274 haemodialysis patients were diagnosed with COVID-19 during the omicron wave (2 months period) vs174 patients in the pre-omicron period (21 months). The incidence in omicron wave was 30.3%, which is significantly higher than pre-omicron waves of 18.7% (p <0.001). Omicron variant has lower mortality rate 2.4%, compared to other variants grouped together 15.5% (p <0.001).
ICU admissions rate during the omicron wave was significantly less than pre-omicron waves (4.9% Vs 26.4% (p <0.001)), and there was less need for ventilatory support (0.01% Vs 0.16% (p <0.001)). ICU length of stay was not significantly different (16.7+/-8 days Vs 14.2 +/- 17.5 days (p = 0.34)).

Conclusion

This is the 1^st national study to compare the outcome of omicron vs non-omicron COVID-19 variants infection among hemodialysis patients. The incidence of omicron variant was higher than pre-omicron variants, while mortality and ICU admission were significantly lower in the omicron era compared to pre-omicron era. ICU length of stay was not significantly different.