Objectives: Renal transplant recipients with severe COVID-19 may have sequelae that can affect their quality of life and can have poor patient and graft outcomes.
Materials and methods: We conducted a prospective, observational study between April 1, 2020, and December 31, 2020, to assess patient and graft outcomes and quality of life using the EQ-5D quality of life survey score at baseline and at follow-up of at least 12 weeks.
Results: Of the 3100 renal transplant recipients with follow-up, 104 patients had COVID-19. Of these patients, 75 (72.1%) had mild-moderate disease and 29 (27.9%) had severe disease. In addition, 78 patients (75.0%) were hospitalized, with 43 patients (41.3%) in the intensive care unit. Remdesivir was used in 46 of the 78 hospitalized patients (58.9%) without any mortality benefitin the severe group. Sixteen patients (17.5%) were rehospitalized with opportunistic infection (n = 7), persistent graft dysfunction (n = 6), pulmonary sequelae (n = 2), and angina (n = 1). Thirteen patients (12.5%) died. On follow-up, the overall EQ-5D score was significantly lower, particularly the pain and anxiety/depression scores in patients with mild-moderate disease, whereas all components of the EQ-5D score were significantly affected in patients with severe COVID-19.
Conclusions: Renal transplant recipients with severe COVID-19 are at high risk of mortality, acute graft dysfunction, and residual disability, severely affecting their quality of life score and requiring rehabilitation.