Increased Mortality with Comorbid Hypertension and Diabetes Mellitus in Hemodialysis Patients with COVID-19

Objective. The purpose of this study was to identify an association between two of the most common comorbidities of hemodialysis patients affected by COVID-19, namely hypertension and diabetes mellitus, and mortality.

Methods. This research was an analytical study with a case control approach. The subjects of this study were patients undergoing hemodialysis with comorbid hypertension and diabetes mellitus who were confirmed positive for COVID-19. They were divided into two groups; the case group consisted of patients who died, and the control group consisted of patients who were living. The total number of respondents was 50. The data were taken from the status medical records of patients in two hospitals in North Jakarta.

Results. There was a significant relationship between comorbid hypertension and diabetes mellitus with mortality in hemodialysis patients with COVID-19 (p = 0.014). Hemodialysis patients affected by COVID-19 with comorbid hypertension have a risk of dying that is 0.172 (odds ratio, OR) times greater than hemodialysis patients with comorbid diabetes mellitus.

Conclusions. Patients with confirmed COVID-19 with dialysis-requiring chronic kidney failure and other comorbid diseases have a risk of heightened disease severity and even death. Therefore, comorbidities must be controlled in these patients.