Association of hypoalbuminemia with hospitalization and mortality in hemodialysis patients with COVID‐19

Abstract Introduction Hypoalbuminemia is associated with poor nutritional status and inflammatory response in infectious diseases. It is commonly observed in COVID‐19 patients. The aim of this study is to assess the association of serum albumin with hospitalization and mortality in dialysis patients with COVID‐19. Methods We retrospectively collected 250 dialysis patients, with and without COVID‐19. Demographic characteristics, clinical symptoms, and laboratory tests on admission or the confirmation of COVID‐19 were collected. Univariate logistic regression model was used to evaluate the association of various factors with hospitalization and death in these patients. Results A total of 250 patients were included between December 1, 2022, and February 1, 2023, in our dialysis center. Among them, 218 were dialysis patients with COVID‐19, and 32 were without COVID‐19. Ten patients died due to COVID‐19, and 8 patients had clinical data. In dialysis patients with COVID‐19, a significant difference in serum albumin levels was observed between outpatients (37.28 ± 4.01 g/L) and hospitalized patients (33.42 ± 3.82 g/L), as well as between survivors (37.12 ± 4.07 g/L) and non‐survivors (31.92 ± 2.52 g/L). Univariate logistic regression showed that the reduced albumin levels were associated with an increased risk of hospitalization and mortality in dialysis patients with COVID‐19. Conclusions Our study revealed that reduced serum albumin is associated with an increased risk of hospitalization and mortality in dialysis patients with COVID‐19. Low serum albumin levels suggest a poor prognosis and nutritional support may improve clinical outcomes.