In the "fourth wave" of the new coronavirus infection after this spring, 118 patients undergoing dialysis were infected in Sapporo City, and more than half, 53%, died. I found out by research.
At that time, vaccination was not progressing, and the background was that there were a series of clusters in hospitals where many elderly patients were hospitalized, but experts are strengthening measures in various places, such as vaccination of younger patients. Emphasizes the need to hurry.
Sapporo City Public Health Center investigated the course of patients who were undergoing dialysis among those who were confirmed to be infected during the three months from April, which is the "fourth wave" when the infection of the mutant virus spread. ..
As a result, it was found that a total of 118 people who were hospitalized or outpatient at 18 medical institutions were infected, and 63 of them, or 53.4% of them, died.
By age
group, 5 out of 6 infected people died in their 90s and above, with a lethality rate of 83.3%,
21 out of 28 in their 80s and 75%, and
17 out of 30 in their 70s. 56.7%,
▽ 60's 13 out of 24 people 54.2%,
▽ 50's 3 out of 18 people 16.7%,
▽ 40's 4 out of 12 people 33.3%.
According to the health center, clusters occurred at seven medical institutions that perform dialysis treatment, and the infection spread to long-term hospitalized patients and outpatients, so most patients also have chronic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension. Because of this, the risk of aggravation was particularly high.
In response to this situation, Sapporo City is promoting priority vaccination of patients of all generations undergoing dialysis and securing beds for specialized treatment. "The same situation will occur in the future. It's unlikely. "
Dr. Masayuki Koyama of Sapporo Medical University, who took measures at the public health center, said, "There is a high risk of death even in the 60s or younger, and since treatment methods are limited, there is no choice but to thoroughly prevent it." It emphasizes the need to hurry.
In some cases, corona infection cannot be hospitalized for dialysis patients
On the 2nd of this month, the Japan Dialysis Medical Association, the Japan Dialysis Medical Association, and the Japanese Society of Nephrology received medical institutions nationwide that perform dialysis, accepting patients undergoing dialysis when infected, and patients of all ages. Has issued a document requesting that vaccination be promoted.
Among them, as the infection of the new corona virus spreads rapidly, from the end of last month, in principle, if the bed becomes tight and infected mainly in the metropolitan area, there are cases where dialysis patients who are supposed to be hospitalized cannot be hospitalized. As such, we hope that medical institutions that can provide inpatient treatment will accept as many infected patients as possible, and aim to promptly complete two vaccinations for all patients, including those under the age of 65.
According to the Japanese Society for Dialysis Therapy, there are more than 340,000 patients undergoing dialysis in Japan as of 2019.
According to a survey by the Japanese Society of Dialysis Therapy, the Japanese Society of Nephrology, and the Japanese Society of Nephrology, at least 2156 patients undergoing dialysis have been infected with the new coronavirus, or 16.7%, or 361 patients. Died.
In a document released this month, the vaccine's effect has sharply reduced infections in older patients undergoing artificial dialysis, and it is currently infected in younger, more active patients. In addition to the increasing number of domestic infections, some cases of infection after vaccination have been reported, and vaccination including family members and thorough countermeasures are required. I point out.
"May happen anywhere in the country"
Kan Kikuchi, chairman of the working group working at the Japan Dialysis Medical Association, expressed strong concern that "the same situation as in Sapporo may occur anywhere in Japan in the 40s and 50s when vaccination is not progressing." increase.
Dr. Kikuchi said that the rate of death of elderly patients undergoing artificial dialysis was particularly high in Sapporo City. I think that is one of the reasons why the rate of death has increased. " I did.
On the other hand, he pointed out that the same situation as in Sapporo may occur anywhere in the country in the younger generation, who are not as vaccinated as the elderly.
Dr. Kikuchi said, "In Tokyo, where the rapid spread of infection continues, about 30 dialysis patients have been infected in the last two weeks, and there are cases where they cannot be hospitalized. To save as many lives as possible. In addition, dialysis patients need to be vaccinated immediately regardless of age, and it is also necessary to strengthen the acceptance system, such as securing beds where specialized treatment can be performed. "
Immediately vaccinate dialysis patients
Since last month, Sapporo City has been strengthening its medical care provision system by securing beds in advance to preferentially accept patients undergoing dialysis when they are infected with the new coronavirus.
In Sapporo City, there were cases where it was difficult to secure beds for patients undergoing dialysis due to the overwhelming shortage of beds due to the "fourth wave" of infection, and they had to ask for home medical treatment. In response to this, according to the Sapporo City Health Center, we will secure about 20 beds in total for the four medical institutions in the city so that as many dialysis patients as possible can be hospitalized even if the beds are tight. That is the aim.
Dr. Hisayoshi Kondo of the National Hospital Organization, who is the coordinator of the DMAT = disaster medical assistance team and has also taken measures against clusters, said, "Because you have to continue to receive dialysis even if you are infected, it is essential to secure a bed that can do it. People with underlying illnesses are said to have a high priority for vaccines, but we must be aware that patients undergoing dialysis are one of the highest priority groups of patients. " He stressed that all municipalities should urgently promote vaccination of patients undergoing dialysis.