Impact of COVID-19 protective measures and shielding in vulnerable patients with kidney failure
Dialysis and kidney transplant patients were the most vulnerable during the COVID-19 pandemic. The effects of COVID-19 measures on the health of these patients will be investigated. The influence of factors as age, gender, family composition, education level and work situation are taken into account. We also look back at how the measures have been experienced by patients. This insight can lead to advice for the effective and safe application of measures during future pandemics.
Goal
We will investigate the effectiveness and safety of COVID-19 measures in vulnerable patients with kidney failure answering the following questions:
- Has isolation caused disadvantages due to the measures?
- Is it useful to share results of antibody measurements?
- Changed the quality of life due to the measures?
- How did patients experience the measures?
- Is lifting measures detrimental to vulnerable patients?
- Are there differences between dialysis patients and kidney transplantation recipients?
Approach
Questionnaires were sent to patients at 6, 12 and 24 months after the first two COVID-19 vaccinations with items on COVID-19, medication use, other diseases and how patients have adhered to the COVID-19 measures. After the 2nd and 3rd COVID-19 vaccination, antibody measurements were taken in the blood of patients.
Data about quality of life, social and work situation are collected from dialysis and kidney transplant patients in the Netherlands.
This data can be used to investigate what effects the COVID-19 measures have had in the different phases of the pandemic compared to the period before the pandemic.
Collaboration partners
The project is carried out in collaboration with the RECOVAC (Renal patients COVID-19 Vaccination) research group. RECOVAC has investigated the effectiveness and safety of vaccination in these patients during the pandemic. RECOVAC consists of representatives of the Dutch Kidney Patients Association and the Nefrovisie quality institute, and researchers in the field of kidney diseases from all academic hospitals.
Data is collected in collaboration with the national patient registries Nefrodata and Dutch Organ Transplant Registration, RIVM and Central Bureau of Statistics.
(Expected) Results
The results are expected in 2027 and will clarify whether and how the COVID-19 measures had an effect on vulnerable patients with kidney failure. And how patients experienced the measures. This is important for many patients and loved ones because they have felt isolated during the pandemic and there are questions about whether this was justified.
For future pandemics, the results may lead to a different way in which measures are imposed. With special advice for all vulnerable patients and loved ones, but also for doctors and nurses. This can, for example, be included in guidelines for healthcare providers.