The Impact of COVID-19 on Kidney Transplant Recipients in Pre-Vaccination and Delta Strain Era: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Herein, we performed a meta-analysis of published clinical outcomes of corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in hospitalized kidney transplant recipients. A systematic database search was conducted between December 1, 2019 and April 20, 2020. We analyzed 48 studies comprising 3137 kidney transplant recipients with COVID-19. Fever (77%), cough (65%), dyspnea (48%), and gastrointestinal symptoms (28%) were predominant on hospital admission. The most common comorbidities were hypertension (83%), diabetes mellitus (34%), and cardiac disease (23%). The pooled prevalence of acute respiratory distress syndrome and acute kidney injury were 58% and 48%, respectively. Invasive ventilation and dialysis were required in 24% and 22% patients, respectively. In-hospital mortality rate was as high as 21%, and increased to over 50% for patients in intensive care unit (ICU) or requiring invasive ventilation. Risk of mortality in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), on mechanical ventilation, and ICU admission was increased: OR = 19.59, OR = 3.80, and OR = 13.39, respectively. Mortality risk in the elderly was OR = 3.90; however, no such association was observed in terms of time since transplantation and gender. Fever, cough, dyspnea, and gastrointestinal symptoms were common on admission for COVID-19 in kidney transplant patients. Mortality was as high as 20% and increased to over 50% in patients in ICU and required invasive ventilation.