Introduction:

This is a report of COVID-19 in chronic hemodialysis patients.

Material and methods:

This is a retrospective and observational study in chronic hemodialysis patients. All patients diagnosed with COVID-19 from April 1st to July 15th 2020 were included. The diagnosis was established with real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) from throat and nose swabbing, in all suspected cases.

Results:

373 suspected cases were identified (10%), 160 (40%) were confirmed cases. With an incidence of 4.3%; 66 females and 94 males: average age 55 ± 15 years (20-88 years), 73 people died (45%). The ratified diagnosis of all such cases were: Diabetic nephropathy 64 cases (40%), unknown cause 46 cases (28%), nephrosclerosis 31 (19%) and other causes 12%. The most common symptoms were: fever, cough, dyspnea and diarrhea. The average value of oxygen saturation in suspected cases was 81 ± 7%. Lymphocyte count was lower in patients who died.

Conclusion:

The percent mortality in this group of patients in maintenance hemodialysis was very high (45%) in comparison with the general population (5-10%). Of these, 40% were diabetics. All patients that developed acute respiratory syndrome died.