New Delhi : A recent study by the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) has found that COVID-19 vaccination significantly improved the health outcomes of patients suffering from acute kidney injury (AKI) during COVID-19 infection. According to the study, vaccinated individuals who developed AKI during their bout with COVID fared much better than unvaccinated patients.
The research, published in the peer-reviewed journal Kidney Medicine, reveals that vaccinated patients had a lower need for dialysis after being discharged from the hospital and a higher survival rate overall.
Acute Kidney Injury is a common complication in COVID-19 patients, affecting up to 46% of those infected. It can impair kidney function severely and, in serious cases, lead to dialysis or kidney replacement therapy. Until now, the long-term impact of AKI in COVID patients had not been fully understood.
Dr. Niloufar Nobakht, Associate Professor of Medicine at UCLA’s David Geffen School of Medicine and the lead author of the study, emphasized the significance of vaccination. “COVID vaccines are a crucial intervention that can reduce the risk of severe complications in patients with AKI,” she said. “Getting vaccinated lowers the chances of requiring dialysis and increases the likelihood of a longer and healthier life.”
The UCLA team analyzed data from around 3,500 patients who were hospitalized with COVID-19 between March 1, 2020 and March 30, 2022. Among these, 972 patients developed AKI. Out of them, 411 patients (about 42%) were unvaccinated, while 467 (around 48%) had received at least two doses of Pfizer or Moderna, or a single Johnson & Johnson shot.
Key findings from the study include:
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15.8% of unvaccinated AKI patients required continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT)—a form of intensive dialysis used for critically ill patients in ICU—compared to 10.9% of vaccinated patients.
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Unvaccinated patients were 2.56 times more likely to need CRRT after discharge.
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The risk of in-hospital death was 5.54 times higher for unvaccinated patients.
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Overall mortality risk was 4.78 times higher among those who had not received the vaccine.
The findings highlight the protective benefits of COVID-19 vaccines, especially for high-risk groups such as those with existing kidney issues. Researchers recommend that individuals—particularly those vulnerable to kidney complications—consult their physicians and consider vaccination as a preventive step toward better long-term health outcomes.
