COVID-19 vaccination appears safe in study of patients with glomerular diseases

Among 2,055 adults with a wide range of glomerular diseases, the COVID-19 vaccination did not adversely affect kidney function or worsen kidney damage and appeared safe in this population, according to a study published in the American Journal of Kidney Diseases (AJKD).

Patients with glomerular disease (GN) may be at increased risk of severe COVID-19, yet concerns over vaccines causing disease relapse may lead to vaccine hesitancy.

Researchers examined the associations of COVID-19 with longitudinal kidney function and proteinuria and compared these to similar associations with COVID-19 vaccination.

In this cohort study of 2,055 patients with minimal change disease (MCD), focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), membranous nephropathy, or IgA nephropathy (IgAN), COVID-19 resulted in hospitalization or death for one in eight cases and was associated with a 35% increase in risk for worsening proteinuria.

In contrast, vaccination did not appear to adversely affect kidney function or proteinuria. The data in this study support vaccination for COVID-19 in patients with glomerular disease.

More information:
Chia-shi Wang et al, Association of COVID-19 Versus COVID-19 Vaccination With Kidney Function and Disease Activity in Primary Glomerular Disease: A Report of the Cure Glomerulonephropathy Study, American Journal of Kidney Diseases (2023). DOI: 10.1053/j.ajkd.2023.07.008

Journal information:
American Journal of Kidney Diseases

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