Burden of COVID-19 in a Hemodialysis Center in Sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract

Background: The current COVID-19 pandemic remains a great challenge to healthcare workers, especially caregivers of patients with chronic diseases. Despite the advances in knowledge on COVID-19, data on COVID-19 in haemodialysis (HD) remains rare in Africa. Methods: We conducted a review of records from 2020 May 13 th to 2021 June 24 th in the HD center of Yaoundé General Hospital. All staff and patients in the HD unit were included. Sociodemographic, clinical, laboratory, and radiological data and patient outcome data were collected. All statistical analyses were performed with SPSS 21.0 software (Chicago, IL). Results: In all 30 HD patients and 3 staff members were positive for COVID-19 during the period. The median age of the infected population was 56 years (37.25 - 62). The median dialysis vintage was 42 months (24 - 96). Hypertension (73.3%) and diabetes (36.6%) were frequent comorbidities. About 10% (n = 3) were asymptomatic whereas those who were symptomatic had a mean duration of symptoms of 7 ± 5.6 days. Fatigue (23/30), fever (21/30), cough (14/30) and diarrhoea (11/30) were the main symptoms. Oxygen saturation was low in 36.6% (n = 11) ranging from 82% - 89%. About 50% were admitted in hospital for social isolation; there was no admission in intensive care unit. Three patients (10%) died: 2 for respiratory distress and 1 for severe anaemia. Laboratory test was done in 60% (n = 18) of case and revealed in 72.2% (n = 13) patients low lymphocytes count (median 896/mm 3 [800 - 1513]) and anaemia in 77.7% (median 8.5 g/dl [7.5 - 9.8]). Conclusions: HD patients are highly susceptible and HD centres are high risk areas during the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic.