1,655 (32%) veterans had AKI: 58%, 13%, and 16% with stage 1, 2, and 3 AKI, respectively. 201 (12%) of these patients received kidney replacement therapy such as dialysis. 80% of patients with AKI developed it within 1 day of hospitalization, and 47% did not fully recover their kidney function by the time they were discharged. Older age, Black race, male gender, obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and lower kidney function were significant predictors of AKI during hospitalization with COVID-19. AKI was associated with higher likelihoods of needing to be put on a ventilator and of requiring a longer hospital stay. AKI was associated with a 6.7-times higher risk of death, and this association was stronger in Black veterans. Rates of AKI exhibited substantial geographic variability (ranging from 10% to 56%), and higher rates were observed in regions with hospitals that cared for more Black veterans. End quote
