Predictive value of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio in terms of need for intensive care unit and mortality in maintenance hemodialysis patients with COVID-19

Researchers investigated whether neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) could aid in predicting worse outcomes in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients.

• A multicentered retrospective study of 123 MHD patients who had received inpatient care due to COVID-19 infection.

• COVID-19 infection linked with death of 28 (23%) patients with MHD.

• Relative to survivors, nonsurvivors were significantly older and had higher rates of diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease.

• Following were identified as independent factors associated with mortality: age older than 60 years, higher ferritin, and NLR > 5.17.

• Relative to C reactive protein and systemic inflammatory index, NLR had favorable predictive value in terms of need for ICU and mortality in MHD patients.

• Determination of the poor prognosis with simple and easily applicable markers may aid in providing early supportive treatments and thereby reduce mortality in these patients.