Evaluation of Long-Term Kidney Functions of Patients Developing Hospital-Associated Acute Kidney Injury During COVID-19 Infection

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the long-term kidney outcomes of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 by comparing those who developed acute kidney injury (AKI) during hospitalization with those who did not.

Methods: Among 3472 patients hospitalized with COVID-19, 95 patients who developed AKI and had follow-up creatinine measurements for at least 3 months were included. A control group of 370 patients without AKI during hospitalization was also analyzed. Kidney function outcomes were evaluated using serum creatinine, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and the incidence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) at follow-up.

Results: Patients who developed AKI were significantly older and had higher creatinine levels at admission. At a median follow-up of approximately 5 months, follow-up creatinine levels and delta creatinine were significantly higher in the AKI group compared with patients without AKI (P < .001). Correspondingly, eGFR declined more markedly in patients with AKI. Overall, CKD developed in 16.1% of patients at follow-up and was significantly more frequent among those who experienced AKI during hospitalization. In multivariate analysis, AKI remained an independent predictor of persistent kidney dysfunction.

Conclusion: The COVID-19 patients who develop AKI during hospitalization are at increased risk of persistent kidney dysfunction and CKD after discharge. These findings highlight the importance of long-term kidney monitoring in this patient population.

Cite this article as: Halıcı Zavalsız N, Çiftçi Öztürk E, Cebeci E, Ziyadanoğlu P, Öztürk S. Evaluation of long-term kidney functions of patients developing hospital-associated acute kidney injury during COVID-19 infection. Turk J Nephrol. 2026;35(3):216-223.