Outcomes of COVID-19 in kidney transplant recipients in the vaccination Era: A national multicenter cohort from Thailand
Issued Date
2023-12-01
Resource Type
ISSN
24058440
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85182251121
Journal Title
Heliyon
Volume
9
Issue
12
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Heliyon Vol.9 No.12 (2023)
Suggested Citation
Udomkarnjananun S., Kerr S.J., Banjongjit A., Phonphok K., Larpparisuth N., Vongwiwatana A., Noppakun K., Lumpaopong A., Supaporn T., Pongskul C., Avihingsanon Y., Townamchai N. Outcomes of COVID-19 in kidney transplant recipients in the vaccination Era: A national multicenter cohort from Thailand. Heliyon Vol.9 No.12 (2023). doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e22811 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/96005
Title
Outcomes of COVID-19 in kidney transplant recipients in the vaccination Era: A national multicenter cohort from Thailand
Corresponding Author(s)
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
Introduction: The mortality rate of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in kidney transplant recipients (KTR) has significantly decreased with the implementation of vaccination programs. However, the real-world information on the impact of vaccinations, particularly in resource limited settings in Asia, is still limited. Methods: The Thai Transplant Society conducted a prospective multicenter cohort registry, including KTR diagnosed with COVID-19. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to examine factors associated with poor COVID-19 outcomes and complications, including death, COVID-19 pneumonia, and superimposed bacterial infection. Results: A total of 413 patients from 17 transplant centers who developed COVID-19 were analyzed. The COVID-19 mortality rate was 5.6 % and the incidence of pneumonia was 18.8 %. With each 10-year increase in age, the risk of death, pneumonia, and bacterial infection increased by 61 %, 32 %, and 43 %, respectively. A total of 11.4 % of KTR received one dose of COVID vaccination (incomplete vaccination), 25.7 % received two doses (complete primary vaccination), 42.6 % received three doses (first booster dose), and 10.4 % received four doses of vaccination (second booster dose). Even a single dose of vaccination significantly decreased the risk of death, pneumonia, and superimposed bacterial infection among KTR compared to those who remained unvaccinated. Completing the primary vaccination (2-dose) reduced the risk of death by 89 %, pneumonia by 88 %, and bacterial infection by 83 % compared to unvaccinated KTR. Receiving a booster dose (third or fourth dose) further reduced the risk of death by 94 %, pneumonia by 95 %, and bacterial infection by 96 % compared to unvaccinated individuals. Conclusions: This Asian cohort demonstrated that the mortality and complications of COVID-19 significantly decreased in KTR after the national immunization. Our study suggests that any type of COVID-19 vaccine can be beneficial in preventing adverse outcomes. Administering booster vaccinations is strongly recommended.