COVID-19 Incidence in a Large Cohort of Hemodialysis Libyan Patients

Abstract

Hemodialysis patients are at a greater risk of severe disease from COVID-19. Of the 600 maintenance hemodialysis patients who were regular attendees at the Tripoli Hemodialysis Center in Tripoli, Libya, 12 patients contracted COVID-19 infection. Their ages ranged between 48 and 80 years, 3 of them were females (25%), and 4 (33.3%) had a history of contact with an infected person. The most common symptoms were fever (66.7%), dry cough (66.7%), dyspnea (91.7%) and fatigue (83.3%). Computed tomography of the chest showed radiological features of COVID-19 pneumonia, ground-glass opacities and consolidation in the lungs of all patients. Four of the patients died (33.3%). COVID-19 is a serious comorbidity for maintenance hemodialysis patients and is associated with a high mortality rate. Where no specific guidance for operation exist, guidelines should be developed or existing guidelines such as those of the CDC should be adapted to the local context. \n \nFunding: None to declare. \n \nDeclaration of Interest: None to declare. \n \nEthical Approval: Ethical approval was obtained from Bioethics Committee at Biotechnology \nResearch Center (BEC-BTRC 18-2021).